Die Tote Stadt – The Dead City

The mind is like Ariadne’s thread! When I read Katerina’s response to my post on Riga, my mind traveled to the Dead City, Die Tote Stadt, the Opera of Erich Korngold. and its magnificent aria, “Joy sent from above”. I dedicate this post to Katerina.

Ariadne with Dionysos, 4th century BC, from Chalki Greece, Louvre Museum

The opera is based on a novel by Georges Rodenbach, Bruges la Morte. The story is about Paul, a man who lost his wife Maria, and wonders in the city of Bruges, half asleep half awake, in a state of hallucination and mental disorder.

Marietta is a woman he meets and he considers to be Maria. Eventually he gets over the trauma of losing Maria, and leaves Bruges to continue his life.

Egon Schiele: Die Tote Stadt

“Mariettas lied” [Glück das mir verblieb}

Glück, das mir verblieb,
rück zu mir, mein treues Lieb.
Abend sinkt im Hag
bist mir Licht und Tag.
Bange pochet Herz an Herz
Hoffnung schwingt sich himmelwärts.

Joy, sent from above

Hold me close, my faithful love

Darkness ends the day

You will light my way

Fear is throbbing in our hearts

Hope is rising heavenward

Naht auch Sorge trüb,
rück zu mir, mein treues Lieb.
Neig dein blaß Gesicht
Sterben trennt uns nicht.
Mußt du einmal von mir gehn,
glaub, es gibt ein Auferstehn.

Joyful days must flee

Dearest love, stay close to me

Time will pass away

But true love will stay

Though we have to part in pain

Yonder there we’ll meet again

Erich Korngold
Erich Korngold

Anne Sofie von Otter, the Swedish mezzo-soprano, in one of the best performances of the aria. The music of the aria is subliminal heaven. Otter’s singing is divine. The chamber atmosphere emphasizes the sensitivity of the music. I do not need to say anything more.