Dvořák's opera about a water nymph's forbidden love for a prince stands among the most moving creations of the Romantic opera repertory. This 1998 BellaVoce recording assembles a stellar cast: Teresa Stratas as the yearning Rusalka, Willard White as the prince, Ivo Zidek in the character role. Bohumil Gregor conducts the work's shift from intimate lyricism to grand tragic drama. Dvořák's score balances Czech folk idiom with universal emotional appeal. The famous 'Song to the Moon' aria becomes a meditation on desire and longing. A deeply human opera that rewards both casual and experienced listeners.