Madison Fitzpatrick, "Drei Lieder der Ophelia" by Richard Strauss

The "Drei Lieder der Ophelia" (Three Songs of Ophelia) is a song cycle by Richard Strauss with text by Karl Joseph Simrock, adapted from the original source material in "Hamlet" by William Shakespeare. This cycle exhibits each of Ophelia's mad songs she sings in the third act of Hamlet before she dies.
The first song, "Wie erkenn ich mein Treulieb von andern nun?" (How will I know my true love from others now?) is a nod to what drove her to madness in the first place - her father's death. After losing her father, she asks how she will know her love without her father's guidance. Something I like about the texture of the piece is how it never moves to major or minor. Its ambiguity speaks volumes to Ophelia's mental state.
The second piece, "Guten Morgen, s'ist Sankt Valentinstag" (Good Morning, it's Valentines Day), exhibits the boundlessness of her insanity. It is normally taboo in 14th/15th century Denmark to even speak of sex, but here she sings about it freely, and with an angered passion.
In the final piece, "Sie trugen ihn auf der Bahre bloß" (They carried him naked on the bier), is Ophelia's maddened state trying to make sense of her father's death. She describes the funeral of her father and watching him be buried. Then, the mood entirely changes to a lighter and cheerier sound as she recalls her love for Hamlet, only to return to the somber texture of her confused state.
Vocalist: Madison Fitzpatrick (Soprano, P.P.D 2024, MSM)
Accompanist: Travis Bloom
Composer: Richard Strauss (1864-1949)
Venue: Greenfield Hall (Manhattan School of Music)