Fairy tale opera 'Rusalka' to be in PAC
Steven Martz, Contributing Writer
On March 4, the Mercyhurst Institute of Arts and Culture will be bringing "Rusalka" to Mercyhurst University live from the Met in NYC.
This performance will start at 12:55 p.m. in the Mary D'Angelo Performing Arts Center.
The opera has an estimated run time of 3 hours and 40 minutes and will include two half–hour intermissions.
Antonin Dvořák, who was a Czech musician and composer from the late 19th century, composed "Rusalka," which was his ninth opera.
Dvořák was very popular in the United States and actually was director of the National Conservatory of Music for a short period of time.
Jaroslav Kvapil, who was younger than Dvořák by 20 years, wrote the Libretto for "Rusalka."
Kvapil was a Czech author and poet who had actually written the libretto before Dvorak became involved in its creation.
Being of Czech origin, the opera is performed in the Czech language.
Do not worry, though, because there will be subtitles in English, German and Spanish.
The opera has a fairy-tale type atmosphere, but the setting's exact location is not specified.
The word "Rusalka" is derived from Slavic mythology.
A Rusalka is a water sprite that inhabits lakes and rivers.
Going with a beloved theme of Romantic style artists, Rusalka has two main settings.
One setting is of the woods and lake that shows pristine and authentic landscape, which contrasts the Prince's palace that stands for the culture of human corruption.
Despite being his ninth opera, "Rusalka" has grown over the years to be Dvořák's most popular opera.
One might recognize the excerpt "Song to the Moon," performed in Act I, because it has been performed often, recorded separately and it has been used in various sound tracks.
If you are worried about the quality of the performance, do not fret, it will be live in high definition.
Tickets are available at the Mercyhurst box office or they can be purchased online.
Admission is $18 for Adults, $15 for seniors and students, $10 of youth and as always MIAC events are free for Mercyhurst students.