In this fourth installment of the opera I wrote for my mother (you can find links to the first three installments on the JENSEITS / BEYOND home page), we are introduced to a new theme, a lullaby.

We have just transitioned out of the fear theme, hearing it transform at the end of Section VI into what becomes the lullaby theme at the beginning of section VII:

The lullaby theme is wordless, sung on the vowel sound oo (or uh for German vocal transliteration), sung a cappella, and repeating on a loop.

The first Angel soon adds his voice with a countermelody, also a simple lullaby, harmonizing with the Woman. Then the second Angel takes on the role of the Woman’s young Son, and as their scene starts, the piano takes over the Woman’s melody.

By the way, this repeating interplay between the two lullaby themes is something I would sometimes employ as a vocal exercise with my choral groups.

At the end of the scene both Angels harmonize their part in the lullaby, while the Woman expands upon hers, culminating in a celestial final harmony.

Which however at the very end just winds up being slightly, uncomfortably discordant.

And thus we are introduced to the husband…

VII

German Language Studio Recording*

English Language Live Concert Recording

The woman, at her son’s bedside, sings a lullaby.

WOMAN

Oo… oo…

1. ANGEL
Sweet dreams my darling

Sweet dreams my love

Sweet dreams my darling

Sweet dreams my love

SON (2. ANGEL)
Mama, is there a ladder so high it reaches up to heaven?

WOMAN
I don’t know, Sweetie. Go to sleep now…

SON:
You leaving now, Mama?

WOMAN
Yes, my love, I have a performance.

SON
You smell so good. May I smell your perfume?

WOMAN
Did you practice your piano?

SON
Can we go to the zoo tomorrow?

WOMAN

I have rehearsal, there’s no time.

SON
And the day after?

1. ANGEL
(singing as accompaniment)

Now, now, evermore now

There only is this moment now

La la la la la la…

WOMAN
I have to go to Milan. But Betty can take you to the zoo.

SON
But she doesn’t smell as good as you.

WOMAN
Sleep tight, my prince, and sweet dreams. I’ll blow you a kiss from the stage.

oo… oo…

SON
But I always dream of monsters.

1. ANGEL
Sweet dreams my darling Sweet dreams my love

SON
They have three heads and spit poison. Sulfur-like and stinky

1. & 2. ANGEL
Sweet dreams my darling Sweet dreams my love

WOMAN Ah… ah…

1. & 2. ANGEL
Sweet dreams my darling Sweet dreams my love

Sweet dreams my darling Sweet dreams my love

Sweet dreams my darling Sweet dreams my love

HUSBAND (1. ANGEL)
I declare us husband and wife.

In the next installment we will spend time with the Husband, albeit interrupted by a lover’s tryst with the Conductor. Stay tuned.

*Yes, you heard right, that is me singing the 1. Angel part in the German studio recording; which means you can hear me perform as both Angels between that and the English concert recording in Section VII – although both times I stick to the upper harmony when singing with the other Angel.