Rusalka is an opera in four acts, six tableaux, by Alexander Dargomyzhsky, composed during 1848-1855. The Russian libretto was adapted by the composer from Aleksandr Pushkin's incomplete dramatic poem of the same name. It premiered on 4 May 1856 at the Theatre-circus, conducted by Konstantin Lyadov, choreographed by Marius Petipa and Nikolay Goltz, but was badly received predominantly by the aristocracy.

Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin was a Russian poet, playwright, and novelist of the Romantic era. He is considered by many to be the greatest Russian poet, as well as the founder of modern Russian literature.