original opera by antonín dvořák and music adapted by ... · pdf fileadaptation...

1 • OPERA FOR THE YOUNG™, Rusalka: A Mermaid’s Tale, Student Handbook, ©2017

1

Ready, set, OPERA!This handbook will help you prepare for your school’s performance of Rusalka: A

Mermaid’s Tale with Opera for the Young. Inside you will find your lyrics and lines from the show, as well as story line and staging notes to give you a general idea

of what’s happening. Your teacher will help you get started, and the OFTY cast is looking forward to working with you on the day of the show!

STUDENT HANDBOOKCast of Characters Page 2Plot Synopsis Page 3Glossary of Words from Rusalka Page 4Rusalka Glossary Word Search Page 6Characters for Coloring/Puppets Page 7Instructions for Student Chorus & Cameo Roles 3CHORUS MUSIC Page 17

Note to Music Teacher: Please copy and distribute any of these materials to students and teachers, as needed.

Adaptation with libretto by Diane Garton Edie and music adapted by Jeffrey Sykes

Original opera by Antonín Dvořákand Jaroslav Kvapil


2CAST OF CHARACTERS (in order of appearance)

Prince (tenor) Rusalka (soprano) Sea King (baritone)Jezibaba (mezzo) Spiny Urchins*Creatures of the Coral Reef*Foreign Princess (Jezibaba in disguise)Foreign Minister (Sea King in disguise)Foreign Dignataries* (guests at the palace)

*Your teacher will select and prepare students

ahead of time for these roles using the

Student Preparation Handbook.

PRINCE

CREATURES OF THE REEF/FOREIGN DIGNATARIES

SEA KING/FOREIGN MINISTER

RUSALKA

JEZIBABA/FOREIGN PRINCESS

SPINY URCHINS*

OFTY ArtistOFTY ArtistOFTY ArtistOFTY Artist student chorusstudent chorusOFTY ArtistOFTY Artiststudent chorus


3PLOT SYNOPSIS

(This action takes place during the overture.)The Prince arrives at the seashore, searching for a mermaid (Rusalka) he has seen playing in the ocean. He becomes trapped by a huge blob of kelp and – as he’s struggling to escape – the mermaid rescues him!

Act OneThe good-hearted Creatures of the Coral Reef report this news to Rusalka’s father, the Sea King. Rusalka admits that she’s in love with a human and insists she will only be happy if she becomes human, too. The King warns her that she is making a bad decision and is in great danger. But, Rusalka asks Jezibaba, the Sea Witch, to turn her into a woman. Jezibaba makes a magic potion and gives it to the mermaid. The witch adds a curse to the magic spell: the Prince won’t be able to hear anything Rusalka says up on land. Also, if the romance doesn’t work out, Rusalka must come back to the ocean and become Jezibaba’s kelp (seaweed) slave! Rusalka agrees and drinks the potion. The Prince returns to the seashore and

finds the silent girl stepping out of the ocean. He takes her away to his castle.

(This action takes place during the scene change.)Jezibaba changes into the costume of a Foreign Princess and goes up on shore so she can wreck Rusalka’s chances with the Prince. The Sea King changes into the costume of a Foreign Minister and follows the evil witch so he can keep an eye on her!

Act TwoAt the castle, the Foreign Dignitaries and Foreign Minister (Sea King in disguise) attend a party in honor of the Prince and his silent girl friend. The Foreign Princess (Jezibaba in disguise) causes all sorts of trouble for Rusalka who finally runs away, heartbroken. She knows she must now return to the sea and serve Jezibaba! The Prince follows her down to the shore, confused by his feelings. Rusalka appears covered in seaweed and the Prince is frightened and turns away.

Underwater once again, Rusalka begs Jezibaba for help. The Creatures of the Coral Reef convince the witch to give their friend one last chance. Jezibaba agrees but warns that the Prince must love Rusalka for her inner beauty (since she’s an ugly seaweed slave) and then give up his life on land. The Prince appears and frees Rusalka from the seaweed and the two live happily ever after in the ocean!


4GLOSSARY OF WORDS FROM RUSALKA

(In order of occurrence and what they mean in the libretto)

undertow waves break onshore and then strongly pull things back out to sea

coral reef stony-looking formations of coral (accumulation over thousands of years of tiny animals’ skeletons) rising near or to the surface of warms seas

black tip shark fast-swimming shark often found in shallow water

angel fish brightly-colored reef fish with blunt snout and vertical, Frisbee-shaped body

urchins ball-shaped sea animal covered with long, movable spines (related to star fish)

merman male mermaid

delirious uncontrollably excited

sever cut, break off

mortal human

fleeting passing quickly

mystic mysterious and wonderful

sea kelp large, sturdy seaweed

rubble fragments or bits and pieces

implore beg, plead

gullet throat

saline containing salt

moozshie goozshie muck made-up words describing yucky potion

tentacle long wiggly armlike appendage (squid, octopus and jelly fish all have them)

spotted moray large, hungry eel

squid ink murky liquid squirted out by angry or frightened squids

earthly foray first trip onto land

hammerhead shark with eyes on either end of oddly-shaped head

granulated ground up

sturgeon large fish with spiky ridge on back


5GLOSSARY OF WORDS FROM RUSALKA CONTINUED

sucker suction cups on octopus tentacles

reverie a daydream

rhapsody poetic expression of great enthusiasm

lunar tide gravitational pull, or, attraction of moon

nymph a female spirit

amphibious able to live on land and in water

rumpus noisy disturbance

brawl fight

enhance make better

deplorable, measly very bad, pathetic

gallant polite

smoldering burning

bondage held as servant

discord hearken be aware of tension

sorrow, woe deep sadness, trouble

forsaken deserted or given up

warm-blooded keeping constant, warm body temperature

transform change into something/someone else

wedded bliss happiness in marriage

serve a greater purpose be more valuable

flying fish fish with large side fins that propel them over surface of the sea

captive captured

brine salt water

OPERA TIP: Watch and Listen!The characters’ faces, gestures, and

repetition of lyrics help tell the story during opera performance.


6RUSALKA WORD SEARCH


7THE PRINCE


8RUSALKA


9SEA KING


10JEZIBABA


11

CREATURES OF THE CORAL REEF

SPINY URCHINS


12ADDITIONAL IMAGES

JEZIBABA CAPTURES PRINCE

RUSALKA AS KELP MAID

SPINY URCHINS WITH SEA KING


13

SETTING THE SCENE: When the show begins, the CHORUS (CREATURES OF THE CORAL REEF which always includes URCHINS) is onstage right. During the piano overture, the Prince gets tangled in seaweed and Rusalka rescues him. The OFTY cast will teach the chorus how to react to this scene with gasps and ooh’s and ahhh’s!The Sea King will have the full CHORUS stand up to sing and dance the first song from a straight line position. Listen to the instructions on the CD: as explained earlier- for part of this song, the CHORUS will be split into two groups. Specific stage movement for the song will be taught by the OFTY cast when they arrive at your school.

Student Practice Track #1

CHORUS: Ho, ho, ho Ho, ho, ho We have a secret you don’t know! Dear Rusalka, mermaid daughter, she loves one above the water. Now, she’s rescued him who sought her! Ho, ho, ho, try to catch us – off we go!

(brief dance break)

SETTING THE SCENE: ...

Here are some tips that will help you read the script.

• The chunks of student-involvement are divided by these bubbles...

• All CHORUS words are bold, sung CHORUS words (lyrics) are also italicized.

• Listen to the TUTORIAL CD with your teacher and follow along with the CD track numbers listed in this handbook.

• You can go online (with your parent’s permission) to rehearse at home! • https://goo.gl/VvB829

• NOTE: THE REEF is the designated area near the pianist where the chorus sits during the show when they are not involved in the onstage action.

Rusalka: A Mermaid’s Tale

INSTRUCTIONS FOR STUDENT CHORUS & CAMEO ROLES

https://goo.gl/VvB829


14 INSTRUCTIONS FOR STUDENT CHORUS & CAMEO ROLES CONTINUED

(group one) Ho, ho, ho (group two) Ho, ho, ho (etcetera…) Ho, ho, ho Ho, ho, ho We have a secret you don’t know! Every evening we could see her, Hoping somehow love would free her. Then a man came down to meet her, But the Sea Witch trapped him in the undertow! (all) Ho, ho, ho Ho, ho, ho Ho, ho, ho Ho, ho, ho Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho!

The Sea King will then sing to the CHORUS (who will remain in place until the King gestures to them to return to “the reef.” The SPINY URCHINS speak lines at the end of the Sea King’s song.


Sea King: You, urchins! What’s this I hear about Rusalka?

URCHINS: Help the mermaid! Yes, you must! Be a father wise and just. Give advice, agree to guide her. She would like a world that’s wider

SETTING THE SCENE: In a while, Rusalka goes to Jezibaba, the Sea Witch, and asks for a potion so she can become human. The CHORUS kids will be involved with stage movement in this spell-casting, but the OFTY artists will teach the movement when they arrive at your school. In the middle of Jezibaba’s song, the CHORUS will sing two identical musical phrases on “ooo” along with the Sea King (who’ll be singing the same notes using his falsetto).


Jezibaba: Magic potion do not dread, drink it up now, do not dread!

CHORUS: Ooo...

(then a little while later)

Jezibaba: Sauce is thin but will reduce, quite delicious slimy juice!


15INSTRUCTIONS FOR STUDENT CHORUS & CAMEO ROLES CONTINUED

CHORUS: Ooo...

Then, under the leadership of OFTY cast members, the CHORUS will quickly remove their Creature of the Coral Reef costumes which will reveal Foreign Dignitary sashes.

SETTING THE SCENE: At the beginning of Act Two, the Foreign Minister (who is the Sea King in disguise) will lead in and sing along with the CHORUS of Foreign Dignitaries. The stage movement is simple and performed from a diagonal line position.


Sea King: Now what? Now what? What is happening? Tell me, tell me, all of you! Tell me now! Tell me now! CHORUS: Such a rumpus, what a party! But to stare is not polite! First, the Prince is so charming, Don’t look now – it’s alarming, How that Foreign Princess tries to break up romance here tonight! First, the Prince is so charming, Don’t look now – it’s alarming, How that Foreign Princess tries to break up romance, break up romance here tonight! This one starts to flirt now, that one looks so hurt now, Scandal might become a brawl soon – What is happ’ning in the ballroom?

In a while, the CHORUS is formally presented to the Prince, and then there is a brief, courtly dance (taught by OFTY cast).

SETTING THE SCENE: The Prince and Foreign Princess will lead the CHORUS offstage to change back into their Creatures of the Coral Reef costumes. Then, they will settle back down into the “reef ” position onstage. During this settling down by the CHORUS, Rusalka and the Sea King have some dialogue and the CHORUS makes a few sound effects.


Rusalka: Oh, Father, it is true: my heart is breaking. But, returning to the sea will not bring me happiness.


16 INSTRUCTIONS FOR STUDENT CHORUS & CAMEO ROLES CONTINUED

Sea King: And, why not? The creatures of the reef do nothing but laugh

(CHORUS laughs heartily – but, briefly)

and sing

(CHORUS sings happily – but, briefly)

and eat

(CHORUS makes smacking and munching noises loudly – but, briefly)

all day long!

SETTING THE SCENE: Later in the opera, the URCHINS and other CREATURES OF THE CORAL REEF try to convince Jezibaba to let Rusalka and the Prince have one last chance to find happiness together. First the URCHINS speak to Jezibaba, and then they sing along with the rest of the CREATURES.


URCHINS: Hail to you, oh magic one! You have had your evil fun. Here’s a chance to do some good: Let that Prince try as he would to see her beauty beneath the surface… Now that will serve a better purpose! CHORUS: Ah, what a lovely night! Ah, let their dream take flight! Like the silver flying fish gliding over each wave, If they can but have one wish, We know they will be brave! Ah, what a lovely night! Ah, let their dream take flight!

At the end of this song, the URCHINS and the rest of the CHORUS will tickle Jezibaba (just a little!) and she’ll finally give in to their request to give Rusalka another chance. When she makes her proclamation (directly after the song – and, tickling – are finished), the CHORUS shouts out cheers like “Yea, Hooray!” Then, the CHORUS will sit back down in the “reef ” and wait until the end of the opera when they’ll be instructed by an OFTY cast member to rise and join in a little celebratory dance and curtain call!


17

Note to Music Teacher: Please copy and distribute any of these materials to students and teachers, as needed.

STUDENT CHORUS MUSIC Ho, Ho, Ho Page 18Ooo Page 20Such A Rumpus Page 21Ah, What A Lovely Night Page 22

Your music teacher will help you learn these chorus songs. If you would like to rehease the music outside of school, rehearsal tracks are available online:

https://goo.gl/VvB829

Adaptation with libretto by Diane Garton Edie and music adapted by Jeffrey Sykes

Original opera by Antonín Dvořákand Jaroslav Kvapil


18

& #### 44All

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

Z

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Ho, Ho, Ho,

f œ œ Ho, Ho, Ho!

& ####All

5 œ œ œ œ œ œWe have a se cret

.œ œ .you don't know!

rit.

∑ ∑-

& ####All

9

Jœ ‰ Jœ ‰ jœ ‰ jœ ‰Dear Ru sal ka,

F mezza voce jœ ‰ jœ ‰ œ> œ œmer maid daugh ter

Jœ ‰ Jœ ‰ jœ ‰ jœ ‰she loves one a

jœ ‰ jœ ‰ œ> œ œbove the wa ter!- - - - - -

& ####All

13

Jœ ‰ Jœ ‰ jœ> ‰ jœ ‰Now she's res cued

jœ ‰ jœ ‰ œ> œ œhim who sought her!

Jœ ‰ Jœ ‰ œ œ# Ho, Ho, Ho,-

& ####All

16

œ# œ œ œ‹ .œ œ œTry to catch us off we go!

f 6

&

&

####

####

Grp. I

Grp. II

23 rœ# œ œ Ho, Ho, Ho!

∑

Z ∑

rœN œ œ Ho, Ho, Ho!

Z

rœ# œ œ Ho, Ho, Ho!

∑

Z ∑

rœN œ œ Ho, Ho, Ho!

Z

&

&

####

####

Grp. I

Grp. II

27

> >Ho, Ho,

Œ > œ>Ho, Ho,

> >Ho, Ho,

œ > œ>Ho, Ho,

Ho, Ho, Ho!

Engraving © 2016

SEA KING: You do?CREATURES: Yes!

(Pno.)

Ho, Ho, Ho Melody Page 1 of 2


19Ho, Ho, Ho Melody Page 2 of 2

& ####All

29 œ œ Ho, Ho, Ho,

f œ œ Ho, Ho, Ho!

& ####All

31 œ œ œ œ œ œWe have a se cret

.œ œ .you don't know!

rit.

∑Tempo I

∑-

& ####All

35

Jœ ‰ Jœ ‰ œ>jœ ‰

Ev' ry eve ning

p jœ ‰ jœ ‰ œ> œ jœ ‰we could see her,

rit.

Jœ ‰ Jœ ‰ jœ ‰ jœ ‰hop ing some how

jœ ‰ jœ ‰ œ> œ œlove would free her.- - - -

& ####All

39

Jœ ‰ œ> œ ‰ œ ‰Then a man came

p jœ ‰ jœ ‰ œ> œ œdown to meet her,

œ œ œ œbut the Sea Witch

Fœ œ œ œ .œ œ œ

trapped him in the un der tow!

f

- -

& ####All

43 4 œ œ Ho, Ho, Ho!

Fœ œ

Ho, Ho, Ho!

& ####All

49 œ œ Ho, Ho, Ho!

πœ œ

Ho, Ho, Ho!

jœ jœ Ho, Ho,

& ####All

52

jœ jœ Ho, Ho,

Jœ. ‰ Œ Ho!

~ 2 ~

SEA KING: You do?CREATURES: Yes!


20

& ## 42 43œ> œ

Ma gic

œ œ

po tion

œ œdo not

.U

dread,

œ œ œœ#

drink it up now

œ œ œ Œdo not dread!- -

& ##7

.Oo

CHORUS and SEA KING (offstage falsetto):

œ œ œ œ#

& ##9

.n œ œ œ œ œ . œ. œ. œ. jœ ‰ Œ3 ∑

& ## 4215 ∑ ∑ 21 œ œ

Sauce is

& ## 4339 œ œ

thin but

œ œwill re

.U

duce,

rit.

rit.

œ œœ

œ#quite de li cious

in tempof .œ œ

sli my juice- - - -

&

&

##

##

44 ∑

.Oo

CHORUS and SEA KING (offstage falsetto):

œ œ œ œMoo shie goo shie

œ œ œ œ#

œ Œ Œmuck,

.n- -

&

&

##

##

47

œ œ œ œmoo shie goo shie

œ œ œ œœ

Œ Œmuck

œ

œ œ œ œ

Lit tle hu man

.

œ# œ œ Œon your way

œ. œ. œ. jœ ‰ Œ3

- - - -

Chorus OosJezibaba

Jezibaba

Ooo Melody


21

& b 42Chorus .œ œ œ. œ..œ œ œ. œ.

œœœ-œœœ-

œœœœ œ œœ

dim.

& bC

5

œ œ œ œSuch a rum pus,

œ œ œ œwhat a par ty!

œ œ œ œBut to stare is

œ œ œnot po

rit. U

lite!- - -

& bC

10 .œ œ œ œFirst, the Prince is

Jœ œ> Jœso charm ing,

.œ> œ œ œdon't look now, it's

Jœ œ> jœa larm ing,

œ œ œ œhow that for eign

œ œ œ œPrin cess tries to- - - - -

& bC

16

œ œ œ œbreak up ro mance

.œ œ œhere to night!

.œ œ œ œFirst the Prince is

Jœ œ> Jœso charm ing,

.œ> œ œ œdon't look now, it's

Jœ œ> jœa larm ing,- - - - -

& bC

22

œ œ œ œhow that for eign

œ œ œ œnPrin cess tries to

œ œ œb œnbreak up ro mance,

œ œ œb œnbreak up ro mance

.œ œ œhere to night!- - - - -

& bC

27 ∑ ∑ U .œ œb œ œThis one starts to

p mezza voce œb Jœ ‰flirt now,

.œb œ œ œthat one looks so

& bC

33 œ> jœb ‰hurt now,

.œb œ œ œscan dal might be

œ œ œb œbcome a brawl soon!

œ œb œ œWhat is happ' ning- - -

& bC

37 .œb Jœin the

œ> œ Œball room?

∑ ∑ ∑rit.

-

Such a rumpus

(Pno.)

Such A Rumpus Melody


22

& ##### 44 42Chorus œœœœœœ- œœœ-

œœœœœœ- œœœ-π

wwwU

∏œ œAh,

Larghetto

Larghetto

œ œ .œ œ œWhat a love ly night!

œ œAh,-

& #####C

6

œ œ .œ œ œU

Let their dreamtake flight!

πœ œ œ œ œ

Like the sil ver

œ œ œfly ing fish

œ œ œ œglid ing

œ œ œ jœ ‰3

ov er each wave.- - - -

& #####C

11

œ œ œ œ œIf they can but

œ œ œhave one wish,

œ œ œ œ# œwe know

œ œ œ# jœ ‰they will be brave!

œ œAh!

p

& #####C

16 .œ œ œ œ œ œ œWhat a love ly

œ œ .œ ‰night!

œ œAh!

F.œ œ œ

-

& #####C

21

œ œ œ œ œ œLet their dream take

.œ ‰flight!

6

Ah, what a lovely night!

(Pno.)

Ah, What A Lovely Night Melody

original opera by antonín dvořák and music adapted by ... · pdf fileadaptation...

Documents