Allmächt'ge Jungfrau

Allmächt'ge Jungfrau


 

Allmächt'ge Jungfrau is Elisabeth's aria from Wagner's Tannhäuser. It is heard in Act III, Scene 1. Richard Wagner also wrote the libretto. Tannhäuser, after praising the joys of sex in a singing competition, has left on a pilgrimage to Rome, leaving his love Elisabeth behind. He is due to arrive back soon. However, he isn't with the group of pilgrims that he left with and, afraid for his safety, Elisabeth prays to the Virgin Mary for Tannhäuser's redemption. She also prays that she may soon be freed from her unhappy life.

Lehmann recorded this music in 1930 with members of the Berlin State Opera Orchestra conducted by Frieder Weissmann.

Allmächt'ge Jungfrau, hör mein Flehen! Almighty Virgin, hear my prayer!
Zu dir, Gepriesne, rufe ich! I cry to you, All-glorious!
Lass mich in Staub vor dir vergehen, Let me perish in the dust before you,
o, nimm von dieser Erde mich! oh, take me from this earth!
Mach, dass ich rein und engelgleich Make me, pure and angel-like,
eingehe in dein selig Reich! enter into your blessed realm!
Wenn je, in tör'gem Wahn befangen, If ever, engrossed in foolish fancies,
mein Herz sich abgewandt von dir, my heart strayed from you,
wenn je ein sündiges Verlangen, if ever a sinful longing,
ein weltlich Sehnen keimt' in mir, a worldly yearning sprang up in me,
so rang ich unter tausend Schmerzen, I wrestled then under a thousand pains,
dass ich es töt' in meinem Herzen! to kill it in my heart!
Doch, konnt'ich jeden Fehl nicht büssen, But if I could not atone for every fault---
so nimm dich gnädig meiner an, yet receive me, in your grace,
dass ich mit demutsvollem Grüssen that, as a worthy one, I may
als würd'ge Magd dir nahen kann: draw near you in humble greeting,
um deiner Gnaden reichste Huld only to implore the richest favor
nur anzuflehn für seine Schuld! of your mercy for his sin!

Back to Top

Previous Page

This site is supported by the Lotte Lehmann Foundation, a non-profit entity. You can support the Foundation and its goals. Contributions are tax deductible. Find out how.