Breit’ über mein Haupt
German source:
Adolf Friedrich von Schack
Neig’ zu mir dein Angesicht,
Da strömt in die Seele so hell und klar
Mir deiner Augen Licht.
Ich will nicht droben der Sonne Pracht,
Noch der Sterne leuchtenden Kranz,
Ich will nur deiner Locken Nacht
Und deiner Blicke Glanz.
Unbind your black hair
English translation ©
Richard Stokes
Incline to me your face!
Then clearly and brightly into my soul
The light of your eyes will stream.
I want neither the glory of the sun above
Nor the gleaming garland of stars,
All I want are your black tresses
And the radiance of your eyes.
Translation © Richard Stokes, author of The Book of Lieder (Faber, 2005)
Breit’ über mein Haupt
German source:
Adolf Friedrich von Schack
Unbind your black hair
English source:
Richard Stokes
Breit’ über mein Haupt dein schwarzes Haar,
Unbind your black hair right over my head,
Neig’ zu mir dein Angesicht,
Incline to me your face!
Da strömt in die Seele so hell und klar
Then clearly and brightly into my soul
Mir deiner Augen Licht.
The light of your eyes will stream.
Ich will nicht droben der Sonne Pracht,
I want neither the glory of the sun above
Noch der Sterne leuchtenden Kranz,
Nor the gleaming garland of stars,
Ich will nur deiner Locken Nacht
All I want are your black tresses
Und deiner Blicke Glanz.
And the radiance of your eyes.
Composer
Richard Strauss
Richard Georg Strauss was a German composer of the late Romantic and early modern eras. He is particularly well-known for his operas, Lieder, and tone poems. Read more here.
Performances
Previously performed at:
- 83. Gweneth Ann Rand: Four Last Songs 20 Oct 2021
- Mastercourse Day One 23 Oct 2017
- Richard Strauss: Mary Bevan, Nicky Spence & Roger Vignoles 18 Oct 2017