Dein is mein ganzes herz (You are my heart's delight)

Whilst in the car today, I was musing on what a terrific job I have. I know funerals are not what many people like to think about, but I really see the value of the enjoyment I give, and that I get out of singing at them. Today is a good point in case.

The family is holding a memorial service for their mother, and they wanted to celebrate her 91 years of life with a special event. They wanted specific songs for the occasion, and so whilst driving the M25 I am humming along to some wonderful tunes.

The main number going round and round in my head is 'You are my heart's delight'. I know it's usually a tenor aria, but I found the music in the right key for me, and a great backing track (this is one number that would be absolutely horrible on an organ, let alone letting a church organist loose on operetta.)

The sun is shining and the M25 is behaving well, all is right with the world! I love operetta, wonderful hummable tunes and heartfelt words. It's nice to pinch the tenor tunes sometimes, this one makes my heart soar. As I go through the words, I realise just how apt they are for today's occasion.

"You are my heart's delight, and where you are I long to be
You make my darkness bright, when like a star you shine on me.
Shine, then my whole life through, your light divine bids me hope anew
That dream of mine may perchance come true, and I will hear you whisper
I love you!"

When you are missing a loved one, you want nothing more than to be with them, but thinking about them can, and will, make your darkness bright. Perhaps you won't hear them whisper those words, but you certainly can say them.

The melody is sweeping me up in emotions and I can only feel happiness. I must admit that the backing track I found is fantastic. You can tell it's been arranged by a musician who understands singers and classical music. They really did a good job of following Richard Tauber's version, all the rubato is there and most importantly, time to breathe! Hooray!

I was concerned that they were going to have a concert by me, but they really wanted all these songs.

•     Ave Maria (Schubert)
•     Piè Jesu (Lloyd Webber)
•     Goin' home (Dvorak)
•     Con te partiro (Time to say goodbye)
•     You are my heart's delight (Lehár)

Plus 2 hymns

•     All thing bright and beautiful
•     Jerusalem

So, a really nice vocal workout and nothing too low, thank goodness. Why is the latest trend to play every hymn in as low a key as possible? I swear recently I have been singing low Gs and Fs - not normal territory for a soprano!

Ah now off to make it all come true, and yes, perhaps I'll hear them whisper 'I love you'.