• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

A Field Trip Life

Books, places, and books that take you places

  • About
  • Books
    • Evie’s Field Day: More Than One Way to Win
    • Tess & The Waves
    • George The Giraffe Books
    • Raven’s Gift: A Feathered Flight of Faith
    • Nancy Bess Has a Dress
  • Author Visits
    • Invite Claire
    • Events
  • Field Notes
    • Book Reviews by Claire
    • Latest News in Your Inbox
  • Resources
  • Contact

R is for Russian Rusalka living in a mermaid world

April 21, 2016 Claire Annette Noland 3 Comments

R (1)

Welcome to R day in the A to Z Blog Challenge where I am spending the month searching for all things mermaid.

R is for Russia where the folklore includes stories about Rusalka, spirits of young women or girls who suffered tragic deaths. Their spirits resided on the bottom of lakes and rivers. They were greatly feared because it was believed that they could lure men and children into the water and cause them to drown. The Rusalka were said to be most dangerous in early June when they would come and hang out in trees and sing.

R rusalka illustration

Rusalka illustration by Yelena Bryksenkova  

R Rusalka op

The great Czech composer, Antonin Dvorak, wrote the opera Rusalka in 1900. Although subtitled A Lyric Fairy Tale, this is not a story for children. It tells of Rusalka who forsakes her watery home to become human in order to be with the Prince. Together they face many trials in a tale of doomed love. If you are an opera fan, enjoy this video of Renee Fleming singing the Dvorak’s Song to the Moon from Rusalka.

Have you ever heard of the Russian Rusalka?

This post is part of the A to Z Blog Challenge. I am a member of Pam’s Unconventional Alliance Team along with Shalini  who blogs at Something’s Cooking  and Tale of Two Tomatoes, Rajlakshmi who blogs at The Twinkle Eyed Traveler, and Parul blogging at Happiness and Food. Pam blogs at the Unconventional Librarian. Stop by and visit them. There’s lots of fun going on!

Filed Under: Blogging A to Z, Books Tagged With: Dvorak's opera Rusalka, Russian Mermaids, Russian Rusalka

Previous Post: « Q is for Queen, Quotes and Qipao in a Mermaid World
Next Post: S is for Sukey’s Mermaid, Starbucks, and Stamps! »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. evelyne holingue says

    April 23, 2016 at 12:07 am

    I haven’t heard of this mermaid but I love the work of Dvorak and I’ve heard Renee Fleming twice. Great clip you chose.
    And great challenge too. I;ll be curious to know what you’ll do with all these mermaids. Fascinating topic.

    Reply
  2. JazzFeathers says

    April 23, 2016 at 11:26 am

    The detail of this mermaid becoming more dangerous in June is so intersting. I wonder where this come from.

    @JazzFeathers
    The Old Shelter – Jazz Age Jazz

    Reply
    • Claire Annette Noland says

      April 26, 2016 at 4:52 pm

      It has something to do with the solstice. I’ll need to research more.

      Reply

Join the Discussion! Cancel reply

Please submit your comment with a real name.

Thanks for your feedback!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Welcome

Hello. I’m Claire Annette - reader, writer, teacher, and field trip planner extraordinaire. Here at A Field Trip Life you will find ideas for adventures large and small and the kids’ books that inspire them. Sign your permission slip. Let's go!

Connect With Me!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Join the Fun, Subscribe to a Field Trip Life Monthly!

Subscribe

* indicates required

Review Policy

Click Here for Review Policy

Search

Categories

MCBookDay-white-21-300x234



Copyright © 2023 | A Field Trip Life | Claire Annette Noland | All Rights Reserved