Composer

:

Wolfgang Rihm

Genre

:

Vocal

Compose Date

:

2012

Average_duration

:

8:57

'Ophelia Sings' is a composition by the German composer Wolfgang Rihm. It was composed in 1991 and premiered on October 26, 1991, in Donaueschingen, Germany. The piece is a song cycle for soprano and ensemble, based on texts from Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' and other sources. The composition consists of five movements, each of which is based on a different text. The first movement, 'Ophelia's Song', is based on a text from 'Hamlet' in which Ophelia sings about the loss of her love. The second movement, 'Ophelia's Lament', is based on a text from 'Hamlet' in which Ophelia laments the death of her father. The third movement, 'Ophelia's Death', is based on a text from 'Hamlet' in which Ophelia drowns herself. The fourth movement, 'Ophelia's Burial', is based on a text from 'Hamlet' in which Ophelia is buried. The final movement, 'Ophelia's Epitaph', is based on a text from 'Hamlet' in which Ophelia's death is mourned. The characteristics of 'Ophelia Sings' are typical of Rihm's style, which is characterized by a complex and dense texture, dissonant harmonies, and a focus on the timbral qualities of instruments. The piece is scored for a small ensemble consisting of flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano, and percussion, in addition to the soprano soloist. The ensemble is used to create a rich and varied sonic landscape that supports and interacts with the vocal line. Overall, 'Ophelia Sings' is a powerful and emotionally charged work that explores the themes of love, loss, and death through the character of Ophelia. Rihm's skillful use of text and music creates a haunting and evocative atmosphere that draws the listener into the world of the play and the psyche of its tragic heroine.

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