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Rusalka

A Performance Guide with Translations and Pronunciation

Timothy Cheek

Known worldwide as a composer of symphonies and chamber music, Czech composer Antonín Dvorák declared toward the end of his life that his main love was writing operas. Written in 1900 at the height of Dvorák’s creative powers, his fairy tale opera Rusalka is a masterpiece firmly established in the international repertory—from 2010 to 2012 alone, over 200 performances of 27 productions of the opera played in 21 European cities alone! Worldwide, music schools and summer programs have mounted the work, as well, reflecting not only the power of Dvorák’s music but the lyricism and depth of Jaroslav Kvapil’s Czech libretto, one of the greatest of all opera libretti, regardless of language. This book serves as an aid to anyone seeking to perform and gain a deeper understanding of this multi-layered opera, which so trenchantly asks what it means to be human, to love, and to be loved in return.

In the first part, Czech music scholar Timothy Cheek offers a thorough review of Czech lyric diction and inflection, describes the characters and their vocal requirements, and supplies a synopsis of the plot, an elucidation of the layers of meaning in Kvapil’s libretto, a section on musical style and dance elements, and a fascinating explanation of why such a remarkable work took so long to be embraced by Western audiences. In the second half, Cheek gives word-for-word and idiomatic English translations of the Czech libretto, including stage directions, along with the International Phonetic Alphabet for pronunciation. Rounding out the book are illustrations from the Prague National Theatre, New York Metropolitan Opera, and elsewhere, as well as an appendix listing recordings and videos.

Rusalka: A Performance Guide with Translations and Pronunciation is written for singers, pianists, vocal coaches, conductors, stage directors, translators, and opera enthusiasts—anyone who wishes to perform the work, or who is simply moved and intrigued by this stunning opera.

Scarecrow Press

Pages: 286 • Trim: 6 x 9

978-0-8108-8305-5 • Hardback • November 2012 • $121.00 • (£93.00)

978-0-8108-8318-5 • eBook • November 2012 • $115.00 • (£88.00)

Subjects: Music / Genres & Styles / Opera, Music / Instruction & Study / Voice

Rusalka

A Performance Guide with Translations and Pronunciation

Hardback

eBook

Summary

Known worldwide as a composer of symphonies and chamber music, Czech composer Antonín Dvorák declared toward the end of his life that his main love was writing operas. Written in 1900 at the height of Dvorák’s creative powers, his fairy tale opera Rusalka is a masterpiece firmly established in the international repertory—from 2010 to 2012 alone, over 200 performances of 27 productions of the opera played in 21 European cities alone! Worldwide, music schools and summer programs have mounted the work, as well, reflecting not only the power of Dvorák’s music but the lyricism and depth of Jaroslav Kvapil’s Czech libretto, one of the greatest of all opera libretti, regardless of language. This book serves as an aid to anyone seeking to perform and gain a deeper understanding of this multi-layered opera, which so trenchantly asks what it means to be human, to love, and to be loved in return.

In the first part, Czech music scholar Timothy Cheek offers a thorough review of Czech lyric diction and inflection, describes the characters and their vocal requirements, and supplies a synopsis of the plot, an elucidation of the layers of meaning in Kvapil’s libretto, a section on musical style and dance elements, and a fascinating explanation of why such a remarkable work took so long to be embraced by Western audiences. In the second half, Cheek gives word-for-word and idiomatic English translations of the Czech libretto, including stage directions, along with the International Phonetic Alphabet for pronunciation. Rounding out the book are illustrations from the Prague National Theatre, New York Metropolitan Opera, and elsewhere, as well as an appendix listing recordings and videos.

Rusalka: A Performance Guide with Translations and Pronunciation is written for singers, pianists, vocal coaches, conductors, stage directors, translators, and opera enthusiasts—anyone who wishes to perform the work, or who is simply moved and intrigued by this stunning opera.

Details

Scarecrow Press

Pages: 286 • Trim: 6 x 9

978-0-8108-8305-5 • Hardback • November 2012 • $121.00 • (£93.00)

978-0-8108-8318-5 • eBook • November 2012 • $115.00 • (£88.00)

Subjects: Music / Genres & Styles / Opera, Music / Instruction & Study / Voice

Author

A leading expert on Czech vocal music, Timothy Cheek is pianist, vocal coach, and professor of performing arts at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theater & Dance in Ann Arbor. He is the author of Singing in Czech: A Guide to Czech Lyric Diction and Vocal Repertoire (2001), The Janáček Opera Libretti, volumes I (2003), II (2004) and III (2016), The Bartered Bride, Prodaná nevěsta: Performance Guide with Translations and Pronunciation (2010), and Rusalka: A Performance Guide with Translations and Pronunciation (2012), published by Scarecrow Press and Rowman & Littlefield.

Reviews

Timothy Cheek’s Rusalka is an extraordinary book, highlighted by its extremely ordered details, allowing for instant readability and quick use for studying the Czech language as well as the dramatic and musical interpretation of this incredible work. Who will not be inspired to delve into this fairy tale opera after they have finally been furnished with the tools necessary to do so?
— Mark S. Doss

Timothy Cheek's guide to Rusalka is the gold standard for those studying, performing or just plain interested in this wonderful opera. It is a thoroughly knowledgeable, yet accessible, reference work with the latest phonetic transcription and pronunciation guide, and both literal (word-for-word) and idiomatic translations of the text. His detailed explanation of scenic and interpretative notations, performance practices, idioms and a "quick review sheet of Americanisms" to avoid make this the Bible for preparation of the score. Where was this book when I was preparing to sing this at the Met?!
— Stephen West, University of Michigan, Metropolitan Opera

For those unfamiliar with Dvorák's opera, this performance guide is an excellent introduction to the work; those already having been seduced by the song of the water nymph will welcome Cheek's research and insight into the opera. This volume is highly recommended.
— Journal of Singing

Dr. Cheek’s profoundly detailed musical scholarship is a true gold mine for anyone wanting to experience Dvorak’s masterpiece, Rusalka. His beautiful introductions to every element of the opera offer rich and balanced perspectives on this important work that will fully inform a wide range of readers. This is the book for you, whether you are a casual opera lover interested in savoring the tantalizing details of this beautiful story or seeking detailed information about available recordings complete with cast listings and nuances of performance, or if you are an enterprising vocalist challenged with mastering the intricacies of singing the rich Czech language. Cheek’s enlightened commentary illuminates every important production aspect of this glorious opera that is also of special interest to conductors, stage directors, and producers engaged in the detailed task of bringing it to life on the stage. One could have no better guide to the appreciation and enjoyment of Rusalka than Timothy Cheek’s musicological “bible” to this operatic treasure.

— Robert Lyall, General and Artistic Director of New Orleans Opera and Artistic Director of Opera Grand Rapids

Rusalka

A Performance Guide with Translations and Pronunciation

Timothy Cheek

Rusalka

A Performance Guide with Translations and Pronunciation

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