Otello: Willow Song (Sonya Yoncheva)
Performed at the Metropolitan Opera
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efuAeD4zPV8

Right before Desdemona sends Emilia off before her expected death, she tells her the story of how her mother had a maid, Barbary, who had a “song of willow.”   Desdemona tells Emilia that the maid died while singing it, so this will be playing over in her head tonight while she waits for Othello.

In Giuseppe Verdi’s opera Otello, Desdemona sings the Willow Song right before going to sleep.  I included an excerpt of Sonya Yoncheva performing this song at the Metropolitan Opera. I chose this adaptation because I felt that it showed how sorrowful this song and scene really is.  Seeing it acted out, sung and performed in this way makes the viewer realize how powerful this song is. By Desdemona singing this song, it shows that she knows that her death is about to come.  Her removing the robe seemed to be representative of being ready for bed which could also mean her acceptance of her death.  I have also included the Italian and English translations below so we are able to follow along with what she is actually singing about.  She puts her hands up to her cheeks while singing about her eyes flowing with tears.  Her facial expressions and her slow movements shows her sorrow, despair and fearfulness of what might happen when Othello arrives.

Scorea noi rivi fra le zolle in fior,           The brook flowed between the flowering banks,
gemea quel core affranto,                             She moaned in grief,
e dal le coglia le sgorgava il cor,                  And her eyes flowed with bitter tears
l’amare onda del pianto,                               in which her heart sought solace.
Salce! Salce! Salce!                                         Willow! Willow! Willow!
Cantiamo! Cantiamo!                                    Let’s sing! Let’s sing!
Il salce funebre sarà la mia ghirlanda.       The willow will be my funeral garland.