King Stephan

Translations © by Laura Prichard

Cantata by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827)

View original-language texts alone: König Stephan

1. Ouvertüre
— Tacet —

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1.
[Translation not yet available]
2.
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Männerchor
Ruhend von seinen Taten
hat uns der Fürst berufen,
an des Thrones Stufen
Heil der Völker zu beraten;
und im dichten Kreise
sammelte uns der Held
nach der Väter Weise
auf diesem freien Feld.

Text Authorship:

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by August von Kotzebue (1761 - 1819)
2.
Language: English 
Men's chorus
Resting after his great deeds,
Our Prince has called us
To [his] throne’s steps
To advise [us] of the salvation of his people;
And into a great circle
The Hero has gathered us
According to the old ways
On this wide field.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2023 by Laura Prichard, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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This text was added to the website: 2023-08-28
Line count: 9
Word count: 44

Translation © by Laura Prichard
3.
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Männerchor
Auf dunklem Irrweg in finstern Hainen
wandelten wir am trüben Quell,
Da sahen wir plötzlich ein Licht erscheinen,
es dämmerte, es wurde hell!
Und siehe! Es schwanden die falschen Götter,
dem Tage wich die alte Nacht;
Heil deinem Vater! Unserm Retter!
Der uns Glauben und Hoffnung gebracht.

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by August von Kotzebue (1761 - 1819)
3.
Language: English 
Men's chorus
Wandering along a murky path through the dark woods
We had lost our way along the muddy spring,
Then suddenly, we saw a light appear,
Day dawned, it became brighter!
And see! The false gods faded away,
Day was yielded to by the old night;
Hail to your father! Our savior!
He who brought us belief and hope.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2023 by Laura Prichard, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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This text was added to the website: 2023-08-28
Line count: 9
Word count: 60

Translation © by Laura Prichard
4. Siegesmarsch
— Tacet —

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4.
[Translation not yet available]
5.
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Frauenchor
Wo die Unschuld Blumen streute,
wo sich Liebe den Tempel erbaut,
da bringen wir im treuen Geleite
dem frommen Helden die fromme Braut.

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by August von Kotzebue (1761 - 1819)
5.
Language: English 
Women’s Chorus
Where innocence has strewn flowers,
Where love has built a temple,
Thence we loyally escort
To the pious hero, his pious bride.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2023 by Laura Prichard, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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This text was added to the website: 2023-08-28
Line count: 5
Word count: 24

Translation © by Laura Prichard
6. Melodram
— Tacet —

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6.
[Translation not yet available]
7.
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Chor
Eine neue strahlende Sonne
lieblich aus dem Gewölke bricht;
Süße Freude! Selige Wonne!
Wenn die Myrthe den Lorbeer umflicht.

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by August von Kotzebue (1761 - 1819)
7.
Language: English 
Chorus
A newly shining sun
Earnestly beaks through the clouds;
Sweet joy! Holy bliss!
When the myrtle entwines with the laurel.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2023 by Laura Prichard, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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This text was added to the website: 2023-08-28
Line count: 5
Word count: 21

Translation © by Laura Prichard
8. Melodram
— Tacet —

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8.
[Translation not yet available]
9.   [sung text not yet checked]
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Melodram mit Chor
Heil unserm Könige! Heil dem Könige!

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by August von Kotzebue (1761 - 1819)
9.
Language: English 
Melodrama with Chorus
Hail to our King! Hail to our King!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2023 by Laura Prichard, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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This text was added to the website: 2023-08-28
Line count: 2
Word count: 11

Translation © by Laura Prichard
10. Schlusschor
 (Sung text)
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Chor
Heil unsern Enkeln, sie werden schauen,
was der prophetische Geist erkannt!
Es wird ihr kindliches Vertrauen
der Krone schönster Diamant!
Wohltaten spendend, täglich neue,
vergilt der König in ferner Zeit,
die unwandelbare Treue,
die sein Volk ihm dankbar weiht!

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by August von Kotzebue (1761 - 1819)
10. Closing Chorus
Language: English 
Chorus
Hail to our progeny, they will learn
what the prophetic spirit has revealed!
Their childlike trust [in the King] will be
the crown’s most beautiful diamond!
Excellent administration, undertaken daily,
will be accomplished by the King in the distant future,
With unwavering loyalty,
his people ordain him in thanks!

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2023 by Laura Prichard, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
    Contact: 

Based on:

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This text was added to the website: 2023-08-28
Line count: 9
Word count: 50

Translation © by Laura Prichard