Schubert’s ‘Swan Song’ performed at Tirana opera

TIRANA,  Nov. 25 – The National Theatre of Opera and Ballet has staged Franz Schubert’s last song cycle, Swan Song, written in 1828, a few months before his death.

Pianist Etrita Ibrahimi says the title comes from the old idea that a swan sings once more before it dies. The cycle has 14 songs about longing and an impossible love.

The first seven, on poems by Ludwig Rellstab, show the main character’s nostalgia. The other seven, on verses by Heinrich Heine, speak about loss of love.

Baritone Artur Vera and pianist Etrita Ibrahimi lead the performance, which also includes Schubert’s famous Serenade, one of his best-known lyrical works.