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

This cycle for soprano, viola 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. Viola 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, viola and humming voice slowly converge, merging as she becomes one with her reflection in the water.

This piece was originally conceived for mezzo soprano, alto flute and piano. At the request of the Ophelia Trio I rewrote the songs for soprano, viola and piano.

Duration 8'40

Publisher: Nutscale Music NM-2511