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Book I. Solo Voice with Orchestra:
Book Ia. Story Cycles for Low Voice & Orchestra (See IV for dance options & III/VIII)
Book Ia. Story Cycles for Low Voice & Orchestra (See IV for dance options & III/VIII)
1. Orpheus in The Underworld 15 & a half minute cycle of 7 songs
for low voice; The text, in Latin, is by Boethius. Orpheus goes to The Underworld to bring Euydice back. Pluto is so moved that Orpheus may bring her back if he doesn't look at her until they are safely home. This version has an unhappy ending. "The Lovers" V/II/1-4 concertos; have a happy ending.
1a. Orpheus in The Underworld: with percussion, timpani & strings.
1b. Orpheus in The Underworld: with orchestra: 2+/2+/2+/2+
2/2/2/1 percussion, timpani, celesta, harp and strings.
Boethius: 6th century poet
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1c. Eurydice: with piano; as cablecast as part of "Crazy Dinosaurs" on BNN-TV, with DEW performing the music. To hear "Eurydice" and to see the scores to several of the songs please click on either of the two dinosaurs to the right: |
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2. Remembrance of Love's Death:
21 minute cycle of 12 songs; Emily Dickinson (uc); for low voice: 2a. Remembrance of Love's Death: with orchestra: 2/2/2 2/2/1/1 harp, percussion & strings. See the same selections in Volume III, Book ViII. 2b. Remembrance of Love's Death: with harp and double bass string quartet or string orchestra; 2c. Remembrance of Love's Death: with piano. 9 of the songs were performed by the composer with pianist, Eileen Feldman at 1st and 2nd Unitarian Society, Boston. Please click on Eileen Feldman to the right to hear the premiere and read the poems: |
Eileen Feldman, pianist
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Other cycles (that is song sets with a story) can be found below: V/IIIb. 3 & it's condensced version: V/IVb. 1. An unaccompanied song cycle can be found at V/Vb/2/3.
Book Ib. Song Sets for Low Voice with Orchestra (See III/VII):
1. Cascando or Songs Of The Figate Bird: 12 minutes and 40 seconds: set of 4 songs for low voice to poems (under copyright (uc)) by Samuel Beckett. Unperformed.
1a. Cascando: with percussion, timpani, harp, viola solo & string orchestra.
1b. Cascando: with harp and string quartet.
1c. Cascando: with piano.
2. Rain has Fallen: 14 minute set of 5 songs; James Joyce; for low voice:
2a. Rain has Fallen: with orchestra: 2/2/2+/2+ 2/2/0/2/1
2b. Rain has Fallen: premiered, in 2022, by baritone, Hartmut Shultz and pianist, Sayoko Akimoto, at Academia Arte, Alser Strasse 28, 1090 Wien, Austria.
3. 2 Songs to Poems by James Joyce: 19 minutes; two songs for low voice, with interludes. Taken from "The Journey." See IV/IV/2 and VII/IV/1. May be performed with "Three songs to Poems by James Joyce" by Merton Brown.
3a. 2 Songs to Poems by James Joyce: mallets, percussion, piano, optional harp, and D. B. string quartet or string orchestra.
3b. 2 Songs to Poems by James Joyce: with synthesizer.
3c. 2 Songs to Poems by James Joyce: with piano.
4. Deep River: 18 minute set of 9 spirituals; divided into two sets. However, any nine songs, may be performed in whatever key and whatever order is desired.
4a. Deep River: low voice and orchestra: 15 minute set of 7 of the spirituals: 2/2+/2+/2+ 2/2/1/1 percussion, timpani, harp and strings. This set omits 2 songs: "I got a robe" and "Swing Low" which are better for high voice.
4b. Deep River: low voice and piano; 15 minute set of 7 spirituals; all 9 spirituals were first performed by the composer with pianist, Barbara Roth at The First Unitarian Society of Newton, MA.. "Wayfaring Stranger" was first performed by the composer with Leo Abbott, pianist at 1st & 2nd U. U. in Boston & heard on WBZ radio.
4c. Let My People Go!: high voice and orchestra: 7 and a half minute set of 5 of the spirituals: 2/2+/2+/2+ 2/2/1/1 percussion, timpani, harp and strings. This set omits: both versions of "Deep River, " "Now let me fly" and "Rock-a-my-soul" which are all better for low voice.
Book Ib. Song Sets for Low Voice with Orchestra (See III/VII):
1. Cascando or Songs Of The Figate Bird: 12 minutes and 40 seconds: set of 4 songs for low voice to poems (under copyright (uc)) by Samuel Beckett. Unperformed.
1a. Cascando: with percussion, timpani, harp, viola solo & string orchestra.
1b. Cascando: with harp and string quartet.
1c. Cascando: with piano.
2. Rain has Fallen: 14 minute set of 5 songs; James Joyce; for low voice:
2a. Rain has Fallen: with orchestra: 2/2/2+/2+ 2/2/0/2/1
2b. Rain has Fallen: premiered, in 2022, by baritone, Hartmut Shultz and pianist, Sayoko Akimoto, at Academia Arte, Alser Strasse 28, 1090 Wien, Austria.
3. 2 Songs to Poems by James Joyce: 19 minutes; two songs for low voice, with interludes. Taken from "The Journey." See IV/IV/2 and VII/IV/1. May be performed with "Three songs to Poems by James Joyce" by Merton Brown.
3a. 2 Songs to Poems by James Joyce: mallets, percussion, piano, optional harp, and D. B. string quartet or string orchestra.
3b. 2 Songs to Poems by James Joyce: with synthesizer.
3c. 2 Songs to Poems by James Joyce: with piano.
4. Deep River: 18 minute set of 9 spirituals; divided into two sets. However, any nine songs, may be performed in whatever key and whatever order is desired.
4a. Deep River: low voice and orchestra: 15 minute set of 7 of the spirituals: 2/2+/2+/2+ 2/2/1/1 percussion, timpani, harp and strings. This set omits 2 songs: "I got a robe" and "Swing Low" which are better for high voice.
4b. Deep River: low voice and piano; 15 minute set of 7 spirituals; all 9 spirituals were first performed by the composer with pianist, Barbara Roth at The First Unitarian Society of Newton, MA.. "Wayfaring Stranger" was first performed by the composer with Leo Abbott, pianist at 1st & 2nd U. U. in Boston & heard on WBZ radio.
4c. Let My People Go!: high voice and orchestra: 7 and a half minute set of 5 of the spirituals: 2/2+/2+/2+ 2/2/1/1 percussion, timpani, harp and strings. This set omits: both versions of "Deep River, " "Now let me fly" and "Rock-a-my-soul" which are all better for low voice.
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4d. Let My People Go!: high voice and piano 7 and a half minute set of 5 spirituals; "Swing Low" was first performed by soprano, Dorothy Yanish, with pianist, Merton Brown at F.U.S.N..
Please click on the button below to hear this performance: |
Dorothy Yanish, soprano
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All 9 spirituals with piano in the high key, were premiered by tenor, Christopher Aaron Smith, with pianist, Yelena Birayeva with Boston Metro Opera on 1/27/12. This performance was first posted to celebrate Martin Luther King Day, 2021. You can hear this performance by clicking on Dr. King (right): |
Dr. Martin Luther King
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4d. Deep River: selections performed by Sonante (soprano, Annalise Skovman with 'cello and guitar) version withheld.
Book II. Two Solo Voices with Instruments:
1. yes: 4 and a quarter minutes; three duets for two high voices with clarinet or English horn; poem by e. e. cummings (uc).
Book II. Two Solo Voices with Instruments:
1. yes: 4 and a quarter minutes; three duets for two high voices with clarinet or English horn; poem by e. e. cummings (uc).
2. Three Folk Songs: 7 minutes 40 seconds.
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2a. Three Folk Songs: for a high voice & a low voice with flute and guitar.Performed several times by The Putnam Court Musicians: Kristin Webb, flute; Russell Southcott, guitar, soprano, Mary Saunders (#1 & #3) and DEW, bass-baritone (# 2).George W. Harper of Beverly Times wrote of this piece: "Easily the highlight of the concert were several arrangements by David Edgar Walther... Especially satisfying was Walther's setting of three familiar folk songs, a medley that managed to sidestep all the stereotypes with a version of Simple Gifts that owed absolutely nothing to Aaron Copeland's. Walther's touching arrangements of Long Time Ago set Mary Saunders' rich, soprano peeping through the lush harmonic haze of flute and guitar like the sun through the clouds.' Please click on the buttons below to hear these folk songs:
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Book III. Solo Voice with Instruments
Book IIIa. High Voice with Instruments:
1. Echoes: lyric high soprano (alternate version for lyric soprano) & viola; 4 minutes; poem by Hart Crane; premiered by soprano, Deborah Cole (high soprano) and violist, David Feltner with Music Now at Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Cambridge, MA. Heard numerous times on WHRB Radio.
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2a. Serenade and Fugue: soprano and flute; 4 and a half minutes; poem by Thomas Hardy; performed several times by soprano, Mary Saunders & Kristin Webb, flute. To learn more about this piece (the score, the poem & performance histor), please click on the photograph of Thomas Hardy to the right; To hear "Serenade Fugue" please click on the red button below: |
Thomas Hardy, Poet
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2b. A Secret and a Thought: 30 seconds; "A Secret and a Thought" with poem by Ann Head (uc); for soprano and flute. The original manuscript my still be in South Korea; a soprano from Juilliard promised to send it back, but never did. She may also have performed it... who knows?
2c. Sora Sono: A withheld version for two sopranos included "A Secret and a Thought." It was performed in Rockport, MA by sopranos: Janet Wheeler and Charlotte Lord. The score is temporarily missing. Instrumental duo version: I/II/1.
3. Five Valentine's Day Cards: 7 minutes and 45 seconds; for soprano, flute, harp and piano; Emily Dickinson; performed, in an earlier, withheld version by Eric Mazonsen, pianist, in Marblehead, MA. with soprano, Mary Saunders; Kristin Webb, flute; and Russell Southcott, guitar: The Putnam Court Musicians (PCM).
4. Simples of The Moon: 10 minute set of 5 songs for soprano, flute & viola to poems by James Joyce. Unperformed.
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5. Some Things That Fly: 7 songs for soprano, flute & guitar to poems by Emily Dickinson; 10 minutes & 35 seconds; 5 songs performed several times by The Putnam Court Musicians: Mary Saunders, soprano; Kristin Webb, flute and Russell Southcott, guitar To hear 3 of these Emily Dickinson Songs please click on the red button below: |
Emily Dickinson, poet
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6. Diptych: 12 minutes and 40 seconds; 3 movements; for soprano, flute, clarinet in Bb, bassoon, and piano; poem (probably) by Samuel Beckett (u.c.) The movements are 1. Unhinged I. Theme and Variations; 2. The Hinge: Song and Canon; 3. Unhinged II: Double Fugue. Performed by the Milestone Trio: flute, bassoon and piano (Phyllis Lehrer, piano) at Princeton University, in a withheld trio version without clarinet or soprano. Otherwise unperformed.
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7. Echo and Mirage: 13 minutes, 3 movements, Christina Rossetti.
7a. Echo and Mirage: with alto flute (or flute), clarinet in Bb, marimba, percussion, harp, piano, viola, and 'cello. Unperformed. 7b. Echo and Mirage: with flute, clarinet in Bb, violin, 'cello and piano. Unperformed. 7c. Echo and Mirage: with piano. Recorded by soprano, Nancy King with the composer, piano; otherwise unperformed. |
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To hear "Mirage" the second of three movements as recorded by Nancy King, soprano with the composer, please click on the red to the below, or click on Ms. King's picture,
to the right, above, to hear the movement and read the poem:
to the right, above, to hear the movement and read the poem:
8. 4 Orphic Hymns: 27 minutes; for high voice with clarinet in Bb & guitar. Translations by Thomas Taylor. A 5th 4 minute song is in progress. Original versions for high or low voice of 8 with flute & guitar are withheld. Unperformed.
Book IIIb. Low Voice with Instruments:
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1. Echo's Bones: A 6 & three quarters minute set of 5 songs with 'cello to poems by Samuel Beckett (uc); four of the songs were performed by the composer with Priscilla Chew (right), at 1st and 2nd, Boston. Please click on the buttons below,
or on Priscilla's 'cello to read the poems: |
Priscilla Chew, 'cello
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2. Five Thoughts: 11 minutes & 45 seconds.
2a. Five Thoughts: for low voice with double bass string quartet.
2b. Five Thoughts: for low voice with piano.
1. A Thought: 2 minutes; Emily Dickinson. alternate version with guitar.
2. all worlds have half-sight: very low voice; 3 minutes; e. e. cummings (uc).
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3. Crazy Dinosaurs: one minute and thirteen second theme song for the cable TV show, recorded by DEEW, cablecast on BNN-TV. To hear the theme song to "Crazy Dinosaurs" please click on the dinosaur to the right: |
4. Wondering: 2 minute song to Charles Schultz (uc) from "Snoopy" comic strip.
5. A Thought: as the first song.
3. The Conqueror Worm: with violin, 12 minute cycle. The strange story concerns a theatrical performance, starting with the overture and ending with the final curtain as a mysterious being devourse all of the performers. This is the complete version of the poem "Ligeia" by Edgar Alan Poe. Unperformed. See IVb. 1. "Last Murmurs of Ligeia" for low voice and piano, below, is a partial setting of the text.
Book IV. Solo Voice with Piano:
Book IVa. High Voice with Piano:
1. Love Suicides at Sonezaki: 3 minutes; in Japanese, performed at The United Parish in Brookline, MA by mezzo-soprano, Shinobu Takagi, with pianist, Darryl Cooper. Cablecast BNN-TV with animated netsuki as the video "Love Song" as part of "Crazy Dinosaurs" that was cablecast on BNN-TV. Withheld.
2. De Profundis Clamavit: 3 minutes, premiered at The United Parish in Brookline, MA by Shinobu Takagi, mezzo-soprano and Daryl Cooper, pianist. See VI/III/I/1.
3. Three Short Songs: 6 minutes; Emily Dickinson (uc), James Joyce and Robert Lewis Stevenson. See VI/IV/4/3. Unperformed.
4. When the Heart is Full of Love: songs for soprano or mezzo-soprano & piano,
Set to anonymous poets extracted from "The Mask of The Witches" VI/II//7 & VII/III/3. Uses the Major/Major 7th and minor/minor 7th jazz chords leaning toward the tritone in
simulation of European village melodies and harmonies.
4a When the Heart is Full of Love: 7 & a half minutes: 3 songs sung by The Sister.
4b. When the Heart is Full of Love: 13 & a half minutes: the three songs from 4a. preceeded by, & followed by the WIccan Hight Priestesses song: "Har, Har, Hou, Hou."
5. The Steeple's Remembrance: 14 & a half minute set of 10 songs, each depicting the ghost of a woman who has died; Dickinson (uc). Unperformed.
Book IVb. Low Voice with Piano: See also Book I above.
1. Last Murmurs of Ligeia: 3 & a half minute cycle of 3 songs excerpted from the poem "Ligeia" by Edgar Allan Poe. This abridged version tells the entire absurd story of the cycle. Performed and taped at BPL, by the composer. See complete setting of the poem above: "The Conqueor Worm" with violin above: IIIb/3.
5. A Thought: as the first song.
3. The Conqueror Worm: with violin, 12 minute cycle. The strange story concerns a theatrical performance, starting with the overture and ending with the final curtain as a mysterious being devourse all of the performers. This is the complete version of the poem "Ligeia" by Edgar Alan Poe. Unperformed. See IVb. 1. "Last Murmurs of Ligeia" for low voice and piano, below, is a partial setting of the text.
Book IV. Solo Voice with Piano:
Book IVa. High Voice with Piano:
1. Love Suicides at Sonezaki: 3 minutes; in Japanese, performed at The United Parish in Brookline, MA by mezzo-soprano, Shinobu Takagi, with pianist, Darryl Cooper. Cablecast BNN-TV with animated netsuki as the video "Love Song" as part of "Crazy Dinosaurs" that was cablecast on BNN-TV. Withheld.
2. De Profundis Clamavit: 3 minutes, premiered at The United Parish in Brookline, MA by Shinobu Takagi, mezzo-soprano and Daryl Cooper, pianist. See VI/III/I/1.
3. Three Short Songs: 6 minutes; Emily Dickinson (uc), James Joyce and Robert Lewis Stevenson. See VI/IV/4/3. Unperformed.
4. When the Heart is Full of Love: songs for soprano or mezzo-soprano & piano,
Set to anonymous poets extracted from "The Mask of The Witches" VI/II//7 & VII/III/3. Uses the Major/Major 7th and minor/minor 7th jazz chords leaning toward the tritone in
simulation of European village melodies and harmonies.
4a When the Heart is Full of Love: 7 & a half minutes: 3 songs sung by The Sister.
4b. When the Heart is Full of Love: 13 & a half minutes: the three songs from 4a. preceeded by, & followed by the WIccan Hight Priestesses song: "Har, Har, Hou, Hou."
5. The Steeple's Remembrance: 14 & a half minute set of 10 songs, each depicting the ghost of a woman who has died; Dickinson (uc). Unperformed.
Book IVb. Low Voice with Piano: See also Book I above.
1. Last Murmurs of Ligeia: 3 & a half minute cycle of 3 songs excerpted from the poem "Ligeia" by Edgar Allan Poe. This abridged version tells the entire absurd story of the cycle. Performed and taped at BPL, by the composer. See complete setting of the poem above: "The Conqueor Worm" with violin above: IIIb/3.
2. Three Portraits: 6 minutes; performed several times with by the composer with pianist, Merton Brown. To hear "Three Portraits" please click on the buttons below; or to read the poems click on Mr. Brown:
1. Old Love: poem by William Butler Yeats:
2. Young Love: poem by Linda Ann Cecil (uc):
3. Secret Love: poem by Emily Dickinson (uc):
3. Three Songs to Poems by James Joyce: set of 3; 1 is lost and 1 is incomplete;
1: "Alone" (1 minute & 40 seconds) is available. Unperformed.
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4. Songs of Summer or 6 Songs to Poems by William Blake: 10 minute song set with text from "Songs of Innocence and Experience" by William Blake. Performed by mezzo-soprano, Susan Craft Larson and pianist, Yelana Birayeva with Boston Metro Opera on 1/27/12. You can hear this performance by clicking on the buttons below or click on Susan to hear them and read the poems::
Also performed by the baritones: Brett Johnson, at Andover Academy; and by Hartmut Schultz, in Bonn and Cologne, Germany in 2018. Also performed by the composer on many occasions with pianists: Merton Brown and Dr. Sam Walter. You can hear the composer's performance with Dr. Walter by clicking on Dr. Walter to the right. You can read the Blake poems there as well:
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Susan Craft Larson, mezzo-soprano
Dr. Sam Walter, pianist and organist
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5. Chamber Music: 15 minute group of 5 songs tp poems by James Joyce; Performed and recorded at: BPL, Old South, Boston, Colby College, ME, and many other times by the composer with pianists Merton Brown, Eileen Feldman,& Dr. Sam Walter.
6. Great Streets of Silence: 16 minutes & 20 seconds: 9 song set to poems by Emily Dickinson (uc). Unperformed.
Book V. Unaccompanied Voice
Book Va. Unaccompanied for High Voice
1. Dachshund: 47 seconds; poem by Jill Shapiro (uc). Unperformed.
2. Mother Goose Songs: 3 minute & 15 second set of 7 songs in 100 notes;
Poems from Mother Goose (1919). Unperformed.
3. Night over Bass Rocks: 4 minutes & 40 seconds; set of 3 songs to poems
by James Joyce. Written for my mother: soprano, Janet Wheeler Walter, for her birthday. Unperformed, as she had retired by the time thy were writte/4.
6. Great Streets of Silence: 16 minutes & 20 seconds: 9 song set to poems by Emily Dickinson (uc). Unperformed.
Book V. Unaccompanied Voice
Book Va. Unaccompanied for High Voice
1. Dachshund: 47 seconds; poem by Jill Shapiro (uc). Unperformed.
2. Mother Goose Songs: 3 minute & 15 second set of 7 songs in 100 notes;
Poems from Mother Goose (1919). Unperformed.
3. Night over Bass Rocks: 4 minutes & 40 seconds; set of 3 songs to poems
by James Joyce. Written for my mother: soprano, Janet Wheeler Walter, for her birthday. Unperformed, as she had retired by the time thy were writte/4.
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4. Cal'mus: 6.5 minute set of 4 gay love songs for tenor or baritone; poems by Walt Whitman from "The Leaves of Grass" will receive its European premiere by baritone, Hartmut Schulz, on 11/4/23 in Kleiner Ehrbar-Saal in Vienna, as part of a concert called "Four Seasons in America / Fall" by the Opera on Tap Vienna Chapter..Premiered by Christopher Aaron Smith (right) on 1/27/2012 with Boston Metro Opera. To hear "'Cal'mus" sung by Mr. Smith please click on the red button below:
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Christopher Aaron Smith, tenor
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Book Vb. Unaccompanied Low Voice:
1. A Tree: 1 minute song to a poem by Joyce Kilmer. Written for Virginia Harms, alto soloist for The Easter Show at Radio City Music Hall and my dear friend. Unperformed.
2. The Book of Runes: written in Southern Ireland; 3 groups or cycles of contemporary plain song to poems by James Joyce. See "The Journey" IV/IV/2 and VII/IV/1 for more contemporary plainsong to Joyce poems:
Book Vb. Unaccompanied Low Voice:
1. A Tree: 1 minute song to a poem by Joyce Kilmer. Written for Virginia Harms, alto soloist for The Easter Show at Radio City Music Hall and my dear friend. Unperformed.
2. The Book of Runes: written in Southern Ireland; 3 groups or cycles of contemporary plain song to poems by James Joyce. See "The Journey" IV/IV/2 and VII/IV/1 for more contemporary plainsong to Joyce poems:
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I. Three Whole Tone Songs: 4 & a half minute set; performed by DEW at 1st & 2nd Unitarian in Boston. To hear the recording and read the poems please click on the picture to the right: II. Four Songs of Rejection and Hope: 5 & a half minute set. The 3nd song is used & recorded in "The Journey" IV/IV/2 & VII/III/2, otherwise unperformed.
III. The Cool Valley: 14 and 3/4 minute cycle of 10 songs; 7 songs were performed by the composer at The Boston Public (BPL). The cycle (2022) chronicles a love affair that takes place at several locations in Ireland culminating in a storm at Fontana Beach. The conclusion of the cycle is unclear, but somehow things have changed; was there a death or break up, or perhaps the acceptance of true love? Either a happy and sad interpretation is possible. |
David Edgar Walther, bass-baritone
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