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Songs

Songs

Lied des Florio ‘Florio’ (1825) D857

Part of a series or song cycle:

Zwei Szenen aus dem Schauspiel ‘Lacrimas’ (D857)

Lied des Florio ‘Florio’

Christian Wilhelm von Schütz

Nun, da Schatten niedergleiten, 
Und die Lüfte zärtlich wehen, 
Dringet Seufzen aus der Seele, 
Und umgirrt die treuen Saiten.
Klaget, dass ihr mit mir sterbet 
Bittern Tod, wenn die nicht heilet, 
Die den Becher mir gereicht,
Voller Gift, dass ich und ihr verderbet.
Erst mit Tönen, sanft wie Flöten, 
Goss sie Schmerz in meine Adern; 
Sehen wollte sie der Kranke,
Und nun wird ihr Reiz ihn töten.
Nacht, komm her, mich zu imwinden 
Mit dem farbenlosen Dunkel!
Ruhe will ich bei dir suchen,
Die mir not tut bald zu finden.

Florio's Song 'Florio'

English Translation © Richard Wigmore

Now that the shadows glide down, 
and the breezes blow gently,
call forth sighs from the soul
and caress the faithful strings.
Lament that you die with me
a bitter death, unless she cures me – 
she who handed me the poisoned cup, 
to destroy you and me.
First with sounds as soft as flutes 
she poured pain into my veins; 
the invalid desired to see her,
but now her charms will kill him.
Come, O night, and envelop me 
in your colourless darkness! 
With you I will seek the rest 
which I need to find quickly.

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Composer

Franz Schubert

Franz Peter Schubert was an late Classical and early Romantic composer. He produced a vast oeuvre during his short life, composing more the 600 vocal works (largely Lieder), and well as several symphonies, operas, and a large body of piano music. He was uncommonly gifted from a young age, but appreciation of his music was limited during his lifetime. His work became more popular in the decades after his death, and was praised by 19th century composers, including Mendelssohn, Schumann, Brahms, and Liszt.

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Poet

Christian Wilhelm von Schütz

Schütz was, among other things, a minor romantic writer, who first became famous as a playwright (with Lacrimas, in 1802). A friend of Ludwig Tieck, he translated from 1822 Casanova's Histoire de ma vie for the 12-volume German edition of the famous memoirs. He wrote extensively on political and philosophical topics, earning the attention of Joseph Goebbels. From 1842 to 1846 he was the editor of the Catholic magazine Anticelsus.

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About Oxford Lieder

About Oxford Lieder

Oxford Lieder is one of the world's leading promoters of song and the winner of a prestigious Royal Philharmonic Society Award. The focal point of each year is the two-week Oxford Lieder Festival in October.

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