Santu De Silva wrote: >Does anyone have knowledge of where I might find a recording of the aria, >for what voice is it written (Mezzo?), or whether it is an orchestral >interlude in the opera? I know there are several violinists on the list >(Chris?) and at least one singer, and I'm hoping someone knows. According to Kobbe's Opera Book" "The symphonic *intermezzo* which, under the name of '*Meditation'*, separates this act from the following, is nothing but an adorable violin solo, supported by the harps and the development of which, on the taking up again of the first motif by the violin, brings bout the entrance of an invisible chorus, the effect of which is purely exquisite." So, except for the invisible chorus at the conclusion, the Meditation is indeed purely an instrumental piece. >Two more tiny questions: > >1. Was "Who is Sylvia?" by Schubert written for solo or chorus? This >is another favorite of mine. Too lazy to look it up unless nobody else will! [Why not take one minute and check either of the online Schubert works lists linked from Classical Net? -Dave] >2. Can anyone provide information about a chorus by Beethoven whose >opening line (in English translation) goes: "The heav'ns proclaim Him >(with ceaseless devotion)" sung in unison? It's a very simple and jolly >piece to sing--we sang it in grade school. I seem to remember that it was >in C major. (I asked this question on another list, but I have lost the >responses I received...mea culpa.) We sang it in school, when we still had school prayer in the public schools. It was called "The Glory of God and Nature" and went something like this: "To God eternal The heavens render glory. Proclaim his power In wondrous words. *** Who holds (some of us repeating "Who holds" while others were just holding "holds") the stars in place ("place" being held by some, while others sang "in their places") eternal, Who bids, who bids the sun his light diffuse. He dawns in brightness And splendor supernal And hero-like His way pursues. And hero-like His way pursues." Walter Meyer