The Death of Klinghoffer: Mrs Klinghoffer's Second Song

An excerpt from John Adams' 1995 opera "The Death of Klinghoffer," based on the hijacking of the Achille Lauro in 1985. The libretto is by Alice Goodman, and this 2003 film version was written and directed by Penny Woolcock.

In this scene, Mrs. Klinghoffer reacts to the news of her husband's death, kept from her until after the hostages were released.

The singer is Yvonne Howard.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• John
• Adams
• Death
• Klinghoffer
• Yvonne
• Howard
• Israel
• Palestine
• opera

[LeoSupimpa]

It seems to me some of the final part of this aria sounds much like the soundtrack by Nico Muhly for "The Reader", specially the flute themes at the final credits.

Nico assumes on interviews he's an admirer of John Adams work.

[FusionSummit]

this is such a powerful aria. I can FEEL the anger and resentment and guilt and all those emotions in the music. :) Modern music can be so moving as well as traditional classical can be.

[mhaimerl]

Great Yvonne Howard - wonderful singer!!!!

[beast3beast]

two shots and a splash, lol

[SandrineSoprano]

Love Yvonne Howard. Also a great Medee...

[mezzomanUK]

Don`t really need the sub-titles. Refreshing to hear such excellent diction these days! Great performance

[Martinowor]

She's really wonderful, and this part of the film is touching.

[Poulgunnarson]

Very powerful. Very moving.

[janetswannell]

I was working on the Salamis glory where and when this was filmed, it was amazing to watch everybody reinact this disaster and also a little erie to see tour ship repainted with the name Achille Lauro!! Fantstic film!

[saladshootavvv]

Wow. Everyone remembers exactly what they were doing and where they were when 911 happened, but that is quite a memorable way to have first heard of the news.

[murrayhip]

this is absolutely true - i was assistant conductor and was playing the piano for the rehearsal on 9/11 - yvonne had just sung 'if a hundred people were murdered and their blood flowed in the wake of this ship like oil, only then would the world intervene...' when john adams left the room to phone for a taxi - he came back white as a sheet having seen the first footage of the twin towers on a tv in reception

[logenisti]

Apparently, it's been said that the per-recorded orchestral part of this scene was done at the exact same time 9/11 happened in NYC.

[cyfieithydd]

Yvonne Howard was my favourite singer when I was with her at the RNCM - I never told her and watching her performance here, I wish I had. She has always been such a dedicated singer, and her mezzo is amongst the best in England!!

[gab1279]

She gives a great performance, this is a thought-provoking work. I don't care for the vocal writing in this song so much, but love the choruses from this opera.

[sharonmary]

A chilling reminder that every death by the cause of terrorism - and the 'war on terrorism' - is a personal tradgedy for a family. One of the most moving musical moments in modern opera. thank you.