Ophelia Songs - J.W. Nelleke (alto flute, voice, piano)

This cycle for mezzo soprano, alto flute and piano sets the songs sung by Ophelia in her state of madness in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. The music traces her psychological journey from fragmentation to a final, eerie unity.

The opening movement is quasi-instrumental. Alto flute and humming voice begin in unison, then gradually diverge as Ophelia’s grip on reality loosens.

The three central movements set Ophelia's seemingly nonsensical texts—the unrestrained utterances of the fool, whose words hold up a mirror to the world and confront all who hear them with hidden truths.

The final movement mirrors the first. As Ophelia drowns, alto flute and humming voice slowly converge, merging as she becomes one with her reflection in the water.

Duration 8'40

Publisher: Nutscale Music NM-2510