Rusalka

Dvořák's Rusalka is part of the global cultural heritage

In Czech, surtitles in Czech, English

The National Theatre in Prague has performed the piece ever since 1901, when it hosted its world premiere. Inspired by ancient fabulous motifs and legends, particularly by H. C. Andersen’s tale The Little Mermaid and K. J. Erben’s ballads from the collection The Bouquet, the librettist Jaroslav Kvapil created an enthralling poem of exceptional linguistic and intellectual qualities. His text served as a great basis for Antonín Dvořák, a master of melody and colourful instrumentation, who went on to conceive his finest opera. (Its popularity among Czech audiences can only be compared with that of Bedřich Smetana’s The Bartered Bride.) As in the case of other classic works, the genius of Kvapil and Dvořák’s Rusalka is enhanced by the copious options of its interpretation. Accordingly, it is up to the staging team to decide which of the mysterious themes and motifs to accentuate and which path to take.

The new National Theatre production of Rusalka has been entrusted to SKUTR, a directing duo whose wildly popular adaptation of Erben’s The Bouquet has met with great critical kudos. The music has been undertaken by Tomáš Netopil, one of the internationally most sought-after Czech conductors. The production will be presented within the celebrations of the Year of Czech Music 2024.

Performing: 

National Theatre Chorus
National Theatre Orchestra 
National Theatre soloists

Important:

• Purchased tickets cannot be returned or exchanged
• The program may be subject to change
• No discounts are provided
• Two 20 min. intermissions
• Theatre is a cultural institution. Please respect the common principles of appropriate behaviour and clothing
• The price includes service fee of 3,7 € (100,- CZK)

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The National Theatre in Prague

The National Theatre is the most important and representative theatre of the Czech Republic

The Prague National Theatre was built from the desire of the Czech people for national independence. Its building was financed from the collections on which participated broad masses of people as well as important donators (including the nobility and the emperor himself). The theatre foundation ceremonial on 16th May 1868 became a national celebration.

The theatre was opened in 1881. In the same year the theatre burned down, and this tragic event caused a huge wave of new collections to support the restoration of the theatre. The Prague National Theatre was re-opened in 1883 by the opera Libuše by Bedřich Smetana and since then it has been serving as a place of Czech national identity and as a flagship of the Czech culture to these days.

How to get there: 

• Accessibility by Prague public transport:
  metro B (yellow line) - Národni třída station
  tram - Národní divadlo stop
• Nearest car parking:
  The underground car park of the National Theatre