Musical-scenic embodiment of the leading male characters in the operas “Rusalka” by A. Dargomyzhsky and “Rusalka” by A. Dvořák

The article is dedicated to the work of an opera artist on the musical and stage portrayals of the roles of the Prince in A. Dargomyzhsky’s “Rusalka” and the Prince in A. Dvořák’s “Rusalka”. The study aims to identify criteria for the musical-scenic embodiment of the main characters in these two operas based on the Rusalka plots. The scientific novelty lies in the identification of similarities and differences in the musical and performance characteristics of the two main male images through a comparative analysis based on the established criteria. As a result of the study, the criteria for the musical-scenic embodiment of the roles of the Prince (Dargomyzhsky) and the Prince (Dvořák) – characters sharing a similar stage employ – were described. These criteria allowed for the determination of a range of shared traits between the characters and helped define their differences, providing a basis for developing a strategic approach to role preparation in the operas by A. Dargomyzhsky and A. Dvořák.