Follow the lieder
If she has enough time, the German coloratura soprano Marlis Petersen would probably like to try a TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) massage after performing Schubert's (1797-1828) lieder repertoire at the Shanghai Concert Hall at the end of this month. But, perhaps, she wouldn't need it. Because in Petersen's opinion this type of music - traditional romantic German poems set to song - is as energizing and uplifting as any type of holistic therapy.
"Lieder (lieder is the plural of the word lied) bring to people's ears the pure seed of music. These pieces are something like an opera within your body. The interpretation is left to the audience's imagination," said Petersen.
On the eve of her performance in Shanghai, she described lieder to the Global Times as "a deeply rewarding piece of jewelry in the vocal treasure chest."
Beautiful compositions
On the night of March 22, Petersen will perform the whole repertoire of Schubert's lieder songs, both as a soloist and as part of a quartet.
"They are songs about nature, love and also hunting, as well as some beautiful compositions of the clergy and God-devoted texts," she said.
According to Petersen, lieder sung in small groups, or quartets, are a rarity these days. It has also become something of a fashion to combine the singing of lieder with readings or ballet performances.
"I think this is a wonderful development and can help lieder to win back the importance which it has lost over the years. And in the modern world which is full of visual effects and impressions people have almost lost their ear for subtle tones," Petersen added.
Schubert is one of the most important proponents of this musical style and who turned the works of the great poets into lieder in an unprecedented way. He was widely regarded as the "master of the lied."
The poetry of the German writer Goethe (1749-1832) had a profound influence on Schubert, although the two never met or communicated.
Schubert set 80 of Goethe's poems to music, and many of the resulting lieder are considered masterpieces of song literature. It is even said that it was Schubert's music that made Goethe immortal - at least in non-German speaking countries.
Schubert's musical interpretation of Goethe's Der Sänger and of the German poet Friedrich Schiller's (1788-1805) Hymne an den Unendlichen will both be performed by Petersen at the Shanghai concert.
The piano accompaniment is an indispensable part of any lied song. And a successful lied is said to achieve a perfect harmony between vocals and the playing of the piano.
Petersen told us that she became interested in lieder because of the piano. "Lieder came into my life very late when I found a pianist whose hands could tell stories. And because of this I delved deeply into the lieder repertoire and was amazed at the treasures I found there," she said.
Petersen began to learn piano at the age of 7. "From Bach to Bartok, playing the piano would prove to be an invaluable asset during my later vocal career," she said.
As a soprano, one of Petersen's most remarkable successes came in the role of Lulu in the Austrian composer Alban Berg's (1885-1935) opera of the same name. The part saw her named "singer of the year" by the highly acclaimed opera magazine Opernwelt in 2004.
Petersen told the Global Times that Lulu is still one of her favorite roles.
Emotions and urges
"She is a very complex character, a woman raised in poverty who drives men crazy, in fact right up to the point where she is killed by Jack the Ripper in London. To portray such a female role, you might need many lives in order to understand all her emotions and urges. It is constantly fascinating," said Petersen.
And in 2010, with just two days of rehearsals, she joined the premiere of the New York Metropolitan Opera's production of French composer, Ambroise Thomas' (1811-96) Hamlet. Petersen sang the role of Ophélie, replacing the French soprano Natalie Dessay.
"It was one of the craziest things I've ever done," she recalled. "I had just finished a run in another opera world premiere and flew over to New York, where I had to learn the whole staging of the opera in two days, as opposed to the usual six weeks."
Petersen described the wonders of singing.
"Vocal music, and especially the experience of singing, is just like having the instrument inside your body. It is a very personal experience, which can always bring me happiness. It feeds the soul, and the soul feeds the music," Petersen said.
Date: March 22, 7:30 pm
Venue: Shanghai Concert Hall
上海音乐厅
Address: 523 Yan'an Road East
延安东路523号
Tickets: 80/180/280/380/480 yuan (VIP)
Call 6386-2836 for details