Vilja-Lied /Vilia (from The Merry Widow)Franz Lehár, Piano Accompaniment.

Vilja-Lied from Lied vom Waldmägdelein (English Title: Vilia from The Merry Widow) by Franz Lehár. Piano Accompaniment played and recorded by Pianist Friend for Singers.

"Vilja-Lied," also known as "Vilja Song," is one of the most famous arias from Franz Lehár's operetta The Merry Widow(Die lustige Witwe), which premiered in 1905 at the Theater an der Wien in Vienna. The operetta quickly became a massive success, solidifying Lehár's reputation as a master of the genre. The Merry Widow is set in the fictional Balkan principality of Pontevedro and revolves around the romantic entanglements of Hanna Glawari, a wealthy widow, and Count Danilo Danilovich. The operetta explores themes of love, wealth, and national pride with a delightful blend of humor and pathos.
The "Vilja-Lied" is sung by the character Hanna Glawari in Act II. In this enchanting aria, Hanna tells a folkloric story about a woodland nymph, Vilja, who falls in love with a mortal hunter. The tale is both mystical and romantic, and it captivates everyone who hears it, including Danilo, hinting at the deep emotions that Hanna herself is experiencing. "Vilja-Lied" is a beautiful example of Lehár's melodic gift and his ability to evoke a sense of longing and enchantment. The aria is in the key of G major and follows a lyrical, waltz-like rhythm. The orchestration is lush, supporting the singer with rich harmonic textures that enhance the otherworldly atmosphere of the story being told. The structure of the aria includes a recurring refrain that emphasizes the haunting name "Vilja" and the mythical nature of the character. The vocal line soars gracefully, demanding both technical precision and emotional depth from the performer. The melody's rise and fall mirror the narrative of love and loss, creating a poignant and memorable moment in the operetta.
"Vilja-Lied" remains one of the most beloved pieces in the operetta repertoire, frequently performed in concert settings as well as in full productions of The Merry Widow. Its popularity is a testament to Lehár's ability to blend simple, yet profound, storytelling with exquisite musical craftsmanship. The aria continues to enchant audiences with its timeless charm and the universal theme of love's power and mystery. In "Vilja-Lied," Franz Lehár encapsulates the magic and allure of The Merry Widow, providing a moment of introspective beauty within the operetta's larger narrative. This aria stands as a highlight not only of the operetta but of the operatic repertoire as a whole, showcasing Lehár's exceptional talent for melody and emotional expression.

English Translation:
There once was a Vilia, A witch of the wood,
A hunter beheld her alone as she stood.
The spell of her beauty upon him was laid;
He looked and he longed for the magical maid!

For a sudden tremor ran, Right through the love-bewildered man,
And he sighed as a hapless lover can.

"Vilia, O Vilia! the witch of the wood!
Would I not die for you, dear, if I could?
Vilia, O Vilia, my love and my bride!"
Softly and sadly he sighed.
"Vilia, O Vilia, the witch of the wood!
Would I not die for you, dear, if I could?
Vilia, O Vilia, my love and my bride!"
Softly and sadly he sighed.

The wood-maiden smiled, and no answer she gave,
But beckoned him into the shade of the cave;
He never had known such a rapturous bliss,
No maiden of mortals so sweetly can kiss!

As before her feet he lay, she vanished in the wood away,
And he called vainly till his dying day!

"Vilia, O Vilia! the witch of the wood!
Would I not die for you, dear, if I could?
Vilia, O Vilia, my love and my bride!"
Softly and sadly he sighed.
"Vilia, O Vilia, the witch of the wood!
Would I not die for you, dear, if I could?
Vilia, O Vilia, my love and my bride!"
Softly and sadly he sighed, Sadly he sighed, Vilia.