La mamma morta

"La mamma morta" ("My mother is dead") is an aria of the 1896 opera Andrea Chénier by Umberto Giordano, sung by the role of Maddalena di Coigny (soprano). At this point in the opera Maddalena, daughter of a noble family, was telling Gérard, one of the men rivalling for her love, of how she has been orphaned when her mother was killed protecting her during the turmoils of the French Revolution. She almost gave up on life when her faithful servant Bersi was forced to "trade her beauty" (possibly prostituted) in order to save her when she was ill. This desperation is implied in the line Porto sventura a chi bene mi vuole! (Woe to those who love me well!) which is placed at the centre of the aria. From this point onwards, Maddalena recalls hearing the "voice of love", which promises companionship and forgetfulness of the horrors of Revolution.

The aria is a favourite show piece of a spinto soprano, especially ones who specialize in the Italian idiom of verismo. In the opera the aria is placed in the third act, after Gérard's aria Nemico della patria... Un dì m'era di gioia, another famous aria which showcases the baritone playing Gérard. Comprising a range between C#4 to B5, the tessitura of the aria lies in the octave between F#4 and F#5, with the second section lying higher than the first section. The instrumentation of the aria is especially effective, for example the string tremolo which suggested the fires that destroyed Maddalena's home. The aria itself is divided into two sections: a tender melancholic opening part which recalls Maddalena's misadventures; and a heroic second part, full of high arching phrases, which suggested the voice of the god of Love. An oppure was written by Giordano as alternative to accommodate the climactic top B, providing shorter phrases and two full measure rests.

As performed by Maria Callas, the aria plays an important role in the movie Philadelphia. Andrew Beckett (Tom Hanks) calls it his favorite aria and plays it for his attorney, Joe Miller (Denzel Washington). Miller looks on in amazement as Beckett goes through the aria, translating some of the Italian and giving Miller a greater context for why the woman is singing what she is. Although he is seriously ill at this point, Beckett is so moved by the music that he gets up and moves around the room with his IV stand. Miller, profoundly moved by the experience, is also made uncomfortable by his feelings, so he finds an excuse to leave Beckett's apartment as soon as possible. When Miller arrives home he cradles his infant daughter then joins his wife in a tender embrace recognizing how fortunate he is.

Libretto

Italian

Translation in English

La mamma morta m'hanno alla porta della stanza mia Moriva e mi salvava! poi a notte alta io con Bersi errava, quando ad un tratto un livido bagliore guizza e rischiara innanzi a' passi miei la cupa via! Guardo! Bruciava il loco di mia culla! Così fui sola! E intorno il nulla! Fame e miseria! Il bisogno, il periglio! Caddi malata, e Bersi, buona e pura, di sua bellezza ha fatto un mercato, un contratto per me! Porto sventura a chi bene mi vuole! Fu in quel dolore che a me venne l'amor! Voce piena d'armonia e dice Vivi ancora! Io son la vita! Ne' miei occhi è il tuo cielo! Tu non sei sola! Le lacrime tue io le raccolgo! Io sto sul tuo cammino e ti sorreggo! Sorridi e spera! Io son l'amore! Tutto intorno è sangue e fango? Io son divino! Io son l'oblio! Io sono il dio che sovra il mondo scendo da l'empireo, fa della terra un ciel! Ah! Io son l'amore, io son l'amor, l'amor E l'angelo si accosta, bacia, e vi bacia la morte! Corpo di moribonda è il corpo mio. Prendilo dunque. Io son già morta cosa!

They have killed my mother at the door of my room She died and saved me. Later, at dead of night, I was with Bersi, when suddenly a bright glow flickers and lights were ahead of me the dark street! I looked - My childhood home was on fire! I was alone! surrounded by nothingness! Hunger and misery deprivation, danger! I fell ill, and Bersi, so good and pure made a market of her beauty for my sake - I bring misfortune to all who care for me! It was then, in my grief, that love came to me. A voice full of harmony says, "You must live, I am life itself! Your heaven is in my eyes! You are not alone. I shall collect all your tears I will walk with you and support you! Smile and hope! I am Love! Are you surrounded by blood and mire? I am Divine! I am Oblivion! I am the God who saves the World I descend from Heaven and make this Earth A paradise! Ah! I am love, love, love." And the angel approaches with a kiss, and in that kiss is death - The dying body is my body. So take it. I have already died like that!