Luise Greger: Heiliges Leid, Op. 95 (1926)

Luise Greger (1862-1944)

mezzo-soprano Thea Lobo

organist Sam Nelson

This spiritual song, describing the idea ‘blessed are those who mourn’, features shifting harmonies and simple gestures, emphasizing the play of light and dark.

Luise Greger (1862-1944) was a highly respected performer and composer in Germany, recognized for her talent by Richard Strauss among others. She enjoyed a long and celebrated career, especially for her famous children’s Christmas show, Goose Girl. Tragically, at age 81, living in Nazi occupied Germany, she was moved from her assisted living facility to a mental institution and within some months died of starvation, a victim of Nazi ‘euthanasia’.

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