"Winterstürme"
Winter Storms
Winter storms gave way to the delights of May,
Springtime glows in a gentle light;
it floats on the balmy air, gentle and lovely,
Working wonders.
Its breath wafts through woods and meadows,
Wide open, its eyes are smiling:
It echoes sweetly in blissful birdsong,
And gives off lovely scents;
Delightful flowers bloom in spring’s warmth,
its strength brings forth buds and shoots.
Armed with delicate charm, spring conquers the world.
Winter and storm surrendered to its challenge:
They could no longer bar the door
Which cut us off from spring’s insistent summons.
Spring reached its sister here
enticed by Love, which was
Hidden deeply within us.
Now Love smiles blissfully at the light.
The brother freed his sister-bride,
All that parted them lies shattered.
The young couple rejoices to have met:
Love and Spring are united!
Die Walküre by Richard Wagner
This aria comes from the Die Walküre (The Valkyries), the second opera in Wagner’s very long and very convoluted Ring cycle.
Siegmund, the son of Wotan (king of the gods) and a mortal mother, is fleeing his enemies and takes refuge in the house of an unhappily married young woman, Sieglinde. They fall passionately in love, and remain committed to each other, despite discovering that they are, in fact, twin brother and sister! Siegmund compares their passion to the union between spring and love.
Despite his valour and his magical sword, Siegmund is killed by Sieglinde’s husband, Hunding. In despair, Sieglinde wishes to die, but is told by her half-sister, the Valkyrie Brunnhilde, that she is pregnant and must live for the sake of her son, Siegfried (the hero of the next opera in the cycle).
Many further complications ensue, leading ultimately to the destruction of the gods and Valhalla!