Reyk­javik Op­era Days: Dream­ing while awake

Vera Hjördís Matsdóttir, soprano, and Helga Bryndís Magnúsdóttir, pianist, perform Frauenliebe und -leben by Robert Schumann in a staged production directed by Snæfríður Sól Gunnarsdóttir. Icelandic translation is in the hands of Reynir Axelsson.

The cycle traces a woman’s emotional journey through a significant period of her life—from the moment she first sets eyes on her lover, to their engagement, marriage, motherhood, and ultimately, the tragic death of her husband. Schumann's expressive music beautifully captures the love, devotion, and vulnerability in Chamisso’s poems along with blending tenderness and intensity.

Frauenliebe und -leben is one of Schumann’s most celebrated song cycles, performed widely across the globe. With this staged performance, we would like to invite the audience to step closer and embark on a shared journey through the joys and sorrows woven into the narrative.

Participants
Vera Hjördís Matsdóttir, soprano
Helga Bryndís Magnúsdóttir, pianist
Snæfríður Sól Gunnarsdóttir, director