15. "ES GIBT EIN REICH"
There is a REALM...
Alexandra Cowell & Guy Murgatroyd
There is a kingdom
where everything is pure.
It also has a name:
Kingdom of Death.
Here, nothing is pure!
Here, everything is finished!
However, soon a messenger approaches,
they call him Hermes.
With his staff,
he rules souls.
like lightweight birds,
like dry leaves,
he drives them on.
You beautiful, quiet god!
See, Ariadne awaits!
Ah, from all savage pain
this heart must be purified.
Then will your face be bowed over me,
your step before my cave.
Darkness upon my eyes,
and your hand will be upon my heart.
In the beautiful festival gowns,
which my mother gave me,
these limbs will remain.
Quiet cave will be my grave.
but soundlessly, my soul
follows her new master.
Like a light leaf in the wind
follows downward, follows so gladly.
Darkness will be upon my eyes,
and within my heart,
these limbs will remain
beautiful adorned and all alone!
You will free me,
will give myself back to me,
this burdensome life
take it from me!
In you will I lose myself entirely,
with you will Ariadne be!
This aria is from Ariadne auf Naxos (Ariadne on Naxos) by Richard Strauss. The opera's unusual combination of elements of low commedia dell'arte with those of high opera seria highlights the story: the competition between "high" and "low" art for the public's attention. Ariadne is the 'high art' Prima Donna, and sings this raptuous aria about a realm where everything is pure.