Alexander Dargomyzhsky "Rusalka" opera in four acts (Opera)

Libretto by Alexander Dargomyzhsky after the eponymous play by Alexander Pushkin

Musical Director: Valery Gergiev

Conductor: Pavel Petrenko

Stage Director: Vasily Barkhatov

Set Designer: Zinovy Margolin

Costume Designer: Maria Danilova

Lighting Designer: Damir Ismagilov

Choreographer: Oleg Glushkov

Video Graphics Designer: Maria Nebesnaya

Musical Preparation: Marina Mishuk

Principal Chorus Master: Andrei Petrenko

Act I
A mill on the banks of the River Dnieper.
Natasha, the Miller’s daughter, is waiting for the Prince she loves so passionately. Somewhat rude and mercenary, the Miller instructs his daughter how to behave with her beloved: he wants to see some profit from the Prince’s favour. Soon the Prince himself appears, having come to speak with Natasha. Natasha is delighted at the Prince’s arrival. The Miller calls the peasants to comfort the Prince with singing and dancing, though the latter remains unaffected. The Prince tells Natasha that they are soon to be parted. Natasha guesses that the Prince is planning to marry someone else.
The Prince tries to buy his way out with extravagant presents and gives Natasha a necklace. The shattered Natasha informs the Prince that she is soon to become a mother. Promising not to abandon her and the child, the Prince departs. Natasha scolds her father bitterly for being driven by greed and forcing her into this situation. In despair she plunges herself into the Dnieper.

Act II
A luxurious mansion.
The Prince is celebrating his marriage amid great pomp and merriment. An ancient wedding ritual is underway. Suddenly a sad song can be heard about an abandoned girl who drowned herself. The guilty party was never unmasked. When the Prince attempts to kiss his young bride a woman’s scream can be heard. The banquet guests are left in disarray.

Act III
Scene 1
The Prince’s palace.
The Princess is sad in her loneliness. The days when the Prince loved her have long since passed. Now she is increasingly left alone. Olga, the Princess’ friend, tries to distract her with a merry song. Having learned that the Prince plans to spend the night alone on the banks of the Dnieper, Olga and the Princess set out to look for him.
Scene 2
Night, the banks of the Dnieper.
Twelve years have passed since the Prince last visited Natasha. The mill on the banks of the Dnieper have long been in ruins, but the Prince is still drawn here by some unseen force. The Prince’s appearance frightens the mermaids who have come to the surface to play in the moonlight. The Prince sadly recalls his former happiness.
Suddenly a shabby old man in rags appears before him. It is the Miller, now insane and imagining himself to be a raven and the guardian of this place. He attacks the Prince. Hunters rush in and save their master.

Act IV
Scene 1
The underwater palace of the mermaids on the bed of the Dnieper.
Natasha has become queen of the mermaids. She sends them to the surface to play in the moonlight with her daughter Rusalochka with the order to meet her father on the shore and tell him that Natasha still loves him and is waiting for him. Left alone, she dreams of love and revenge on her rival in love.
Scene 2
The shore of the Dnieper.
The Prince has come once more to the ruins of the mill.
Rusalochka approaches him from the waters and calls on him to follow her. The Princess hastens in together with Olga and tries to stop her husband, but the Miller pushes him into the water. The mermaids take the body of the Prince to their queen.