Heliane, Chapter 2

Well, I've listened to this thing several times now, once following the German/English libretto word for word. It's lush, gorgeous music and I'm glad to have it, even if it set me back some bucks. However, if you want to hear Pape's fine aria as the Porter in Act III, for 99 cents you can download


Das Wunder der Heliane: Höret mich, Brüder 5:38 Berliner Rundfunkchor, John Mauceri, Radio Symphony Orchestra of Berlin, Reinhild Runkel & René Pape Korngold: Das Wunder der Heliane


and get yourself an earful of him at his upper register finest and hear some lush, romantic music at the same time :~)


"But I saw her
I know her well
My child was ill
His heart had almost broken.
then she arrived.
She entered our room like the light.
She was so beautiful
that her breath, when she spoke,
filled the air as though with roses.
My poor child, she said
do you really mean to die?
The child looked up to her
drank what she offered him
started to cry, laughed - and recovered.

O my brothers, she will heal even us
who are in chains - she is pure!
Because she is so good, her heart
will weaken not just the dead man -
no, she will waken us as well!
We shall be happy.
happy through her and him!
No longer shall the hand put men in chains
like animals.
bread and drink and warmth
sleep to unravel every care -
all these miracles will be achieved by her miracle!"


The Porter
The Wonder of Heliane
Das Wunder der Heliane, Op.20 (1927)
Erich Korngold



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