Knabenherz

It is done! Queen Marie's beautiful Neapolitan Court dress ist reborn!   Finally I can reveal the replica gown for the role of Marie Sophie, last Queen of the two Sicilies in Susan Oswell's "Heroine of Gaeta":   Astrid Mathyshek in the role of Queen Marie, the Heroine of Gaeta     Made of white satin with short lace sleeves and a blue moiree sash it comes with many exquisite details:    The silver brooch was made in Paris, natural freshwater pearls serve as decent jewellery of the neck and the Spanish cotton handfan with silver ornaments finishes the ensemble...    The Neapolitan Court gown was made for the young Queen in 1859/60. It expresses solidarity of the sovereign with the neapolitan-sicilian culture of her people, kept in the traditional colours of Tarantella folk dance dresses: red and white...   Queen Marie Sophie loved pearls and so her portraits often show her wearing pearl necklaces, bracelets, brooches and even ropes of pearls...

In my latest book "Marie Sophie Amalie" (biography of the last queen of Naples) I published how the queen presented herself in public by choosing special "signs" in her gowns and creating her own dress codes:  Her coronation gown was a "Marientracht" (costume dedicated to the mother of God by using elements and colours which are attributes of the katholic Madonna): The silk fabric of the coronation gown and train was of a light blue shade, the colour of Saint Mary's purety, decorated with white lace formed like clouds - reminiscent of heaven - and with pink dahlia - a symbol for love in the European flower language of the 19th century - signifying the queen's love for her land and people. Picture 1: Coronation gown, Naples 1859   Later, when Queen Marie and her husbend were exiled, her Parisian ball gown had a design which immediately recalled her coronation gown repeating the element of cloud-like lace and - instead of  dahlia - pink roses which r...

During these days I am rehearsing Susan Oswell's "Heroine of Gaeta" together with my gorgeous pianist Olena Vasylenko. Olena is from Charkiv, where she worked at the great opera house. Since the Ukrainian war started and the theatre was destroyed, Olena lives in Germany and...despite her bitter destiny, I am very happy that our paths crossed and I made her acquaintance, so that we are now able to work together. Her talent is amazing: Olena is able to imitate an entire orchestra with her piano! Therefore of course she is very popular as a soloist as well as an accompanist! In Susan Oswell's cantata the composer dedicated an "Intermezzo" to Olena's virtuous hands. We are very proud to work with her and to present her to the bavarian and neapolitan audience this year. In addition to our preparations for the premiere of "Heroine of Gaeta" we have started working on a new opera, which is Colette's CHÉRI ! More infos will follow soon!

Famous composer Susan Oswell has written a "Cantata a voce sola" for virtuous mezzosoprano. Her work, called "Die Heldin von Gaeta" (The heroine of Gaeta), is a monologue of the last Queen of Naples, Maria Sofia, and can be considered one huge opera scene similar to Rossini's "Giovanna d'Arco".   There has never been a more difficult part for mezzosoprano: it contains full 3 octaves e - e''', coloratura and legato phrases, chromatic, free speech, extreme high and deep layers between recitativi and ariosi. I am very proud Susan Oswell dedicated her masterpiece to my voice and proudly will I present her cantata this year in Munich and Naples.  To read more about the composer click here: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Oswell Photo: © Susan Oswell 2024    

 Marie Sophie Amalie, duchess in Bavaria (Abb.1)   For at least 100 years a lot of prejudices exist about the life of Marie Sophie Amalie, born duchess in Bavaria and last Queen of the two Sicilies, sister of Empress Elisabeth of Austria. In my actual biography „Marie Sophie Amalie“ I publish historical documents which reveal the truth about many rumours concerning life, love and character of this unusual and often misunderstood woman. Aditionally 3 scientific essays (55 pages) are published containing important facts which are now revealed for the first time: 1. Where was the little duchess born? 2. Why is the picture above the original of Hanfstaengl's photography of Marie Sophie and NOT Sisi ? 3. Why does Marie Sophie deserve more credit as the best horse woman of her family? Marie Laznik's essays are published in German language and can now be ordered here: marie.laznik@web.de  Marie in Bayern - 3 Abhandlungen (Abb. 2)   Abb 1: wikimedia commons Abb...

My Biography about the last Queen of the two Sicilies, Maria Sofia, the "Heroine of Gaeta" and sister of famous Empress Sisi of Austria, can now be ordered here: astridmathyshek@gmail.com Marie Sophie was married to the last King Francesco II delle due Sicilie, and became - after only one year of reign - a popular European icon as she defended her kingdom during the risorgimento battles. She was called the "Heroine of Gaeta" and became the best horse rider of her family. Marie Sophie's adventurous life and destiny is now brought to you with many original images and historical sources... Cost: 46,80 € + shipping Book on demand. Queen Marie during the battles in Gaeta 1860                                                             Anonymous