Live Performance l'Orchestre des Jeunes de a Méditerranée au Festival d'Aix en Provence Soloist - Astrid Nordstad photo: Erik Berg The death of Cleopatra: So it's done! my shame is assured. Widow of Antony and widow of Caesar, Delivered into the power of Octavian, I could not seduce his fierce gaze. I was defeated, and am dishonoured. In vain, to revive the splendour of my attractions, I have profaned the mourning of a wretched widowhood; In vain, in vain, exhausting art’s secrets, I have hidden under flowers the chains of slavery; Nothing could soften the victor’s decrees. I have dragged and oppressed my greatness at his feet. My very tears have spilled, flowing over his hands, And the daughter of the Ptolemies Has suffered the affront of his refusals! Ah! How far away are these days, the torment of my memory, Or on the bosom of the seas, like Venus, Reflecting the glory of Antony and Caesar, I appeared triumphant on the banks of the Cydnus! Actium has delivered me up to the conqueror who defies me; My sceptre, my treasures have passed into his hands; My beauty remained mine, and Octavian's contempt They have done more to conquer me, than the Roman sword. Ah! how far away these days are, etc. My very tears have spilled, flowing over his hands, I suffered the affront of his refusals. Me!... who from the bosom of the seas, like Venus, Soared in triumph onto the banks of the Cydnus! At the height of misfortune, what more should I have to fear? Guilty queen, what do you say? Is it for me to complain of the fate that overwhelms me? Have I the rights of virtue to accuse him? I have disgraced a husband’s life. It is through me that Egypt is enslaved to the Romans, And how quickly the old cult of Isis is destroyed. What refuge should I seek? Without family! without a country! It is nothing more for me than the eternal night! Meditation Great Pharaohs, noble kin of Lagos, Will you see, without anger, To sleep in your pyramids, A queen unworthy of you? No!.. I would not desecrate the splendour Of your funeral places! Kings, in the depths of darkness, You would flee from me in horror. Is it for me to complain of the fate that overwhelms me? Have I the right of virtue, to accuse him? Because of me our gods have fled from Alexandria, And from then on, the cult of Isis is destroyed. Great Pharaohs, noble kin of Lagos, You would flee from me in horror! Is it for me to complain of the fate that overwhelms me? Have I the right of virtue to accuse him? Great Pharaohs, noble kin of Lagos, Will you see, without anger, To sleep in your pyramids, A queen unworthy of you? No, I have disgraced a husband’s life. His ashes are before my eyes, his ghost pursues me. Because of me, Egypt is enslaved to the Romans. Because of me our gods have fled from the walls of Alexandria, And of cult of Isis is destroyed. Osiris forbids me my crown. To Typhon I give up my life! Against the horrors that surround me A vile reptile is my recourse. Gods of the Nile... you have... betrayed me! Octavius... is waiting for me... at his chariot. Cleopatra in... leaving... life, Becomes worthy again of... Caesar!

Live performance of Ständchen by Franz Schubert from "Schwanengesang". Piano: Kathryn Stott FjordClassic Music Festival in 2022

The song cycle Shéhérazade by Maurice Ravel. Live recording from the concert "Franske klanger" with Trondheim Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Marc Soustrot, on the 17th of February 2022. Recorded by NRK Klassisk. Soloist Astrid Nordstad The cycle consist of three songs: Asie, La flûte enchantée and L'indifférent. I. Asia Asia, Asia, Asia, Ancient wonderland of fairy tales, Where fantasy sleeps Like Astrid Nordstad empress In her mystery-filled forest, Asia, I long to set sail with the schooner Which rocks this evening in the harbour, Mysterious and solitary And which spreads at last its violet sails Like a huge night-bird in the golden sky. I long to set sail for isles of flowers As I listen to the song of the wayward sea With its old bewitching rhythm; I long to see Damascus and the cities of Persia With their airy minarets; I long to see beautiful silken turbans Above black faces with white teeth; I long to see eyes dark with love And pupils sparkling with joy Sunk in skins as yellow as oranges; I long to see velvet raiments And long-fringed robes; I long to see calumets in mouths Fringed about with white beards; I long to see grasping merchants with shifty looks, And cadis and viziers Who with a single crook of the finger Dispense life or death on a whim. I long to see Persia, and India, and then China, Portly mandarins beneath their sunshades, And princesses with delicate hands, And learned men disputing About poetry and beauty; I long to linger in enchanted places, And like a foreign traveller Gaze at leisure on landscapes painted On fabrics in pinewood frames, With a figure in the midst of Astrid Nord I long to see assassins smiling, As the executioner cuts off an innocent head With his great curved Oriental scimitar; I long to see beggars and queens; I long to see roses and blood; I long to see death for love or else for hate, And the to return later And recount my adventures to those intrigued by dreams, While raising like Sinbad My old Arabian pipe From time to time to my lips, Artfully to interrupt the tale...stad orchard; II. The enchanted flute The shade is soft and my master sleeps, A cone-shaped silken cap on his head, And his long yellow nose in his white beard. But I am still awake, Listening to the song Of a flute outside that pours forth Sadness and joy in turn, A tune now languorous now lively, Which my dear lover plays. And when I draw near the casement, Each note seems to fly From the flute to my cheek Like a mysterious kiss. III. The indifferent one Your eyes are soft like girl's, Young stranger, And the delicate curve Of your handsome down-shaded face Is still more attractively shaped. Your lips sing At my door An unknown charming tongue, Like music off-pitch; Enter! And let my wine refresh you... But no, you pass by And I see you leaving my threshold, Gracefully waving farewell, Your hips lightly swaying In your languid feminine way. English Translation © Richard Stokes

Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen Rückert-Lieder by Mahler Astrid Nordstad with Ádám Fischer conducting the Danish Chamber Orchestra 2019 Translation: I am lost to the world With which I used to waste much time; It has for so long known nothing of me, It may well believe that I am dead. Nor am I at all concerned If it should think that I am dead. Nor can I deny it, For truly I am dead to the world. I am dead to the world’s tumult And rest in a quiet realm! I live alone in my heaven, In my love, in my song! English Translation © Richard Stokes

Sara's aria from the opera Roberto Devereux by Gaetano Donizetti. Sung by Astrid Nordstad Pianist: Olga Jørgensen

Charlottes 3.act aria "Va! Laisse couler mes larmes" from the opera Werther by Jules Massenet, sung by Astrid Nordstad. Pianist: Olga Jørgensen