Knabenherz

Our concert recital "Ein Abend mit Kaiserin Sisi" (Soiree with Empress Elisabeth) was first performed in 2019 in the House of Music, Regensburg. The programme contains German Lieder of famous classical and romantic composers in combination with the original poems written by the Austrian Empress Elisabeth herself. Astrid Mathyshek 2019 as Empress Sisi of Austria      For the public presentation I was given the exclusive permission by the Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften (Austrian Accademy of Sience)... Mozart, Schumann, Schubert, Strauss...and the poems of an Empress.    This autum the programme returns with a additional highlight: Susan Oswell's Cantata a voce sola "Die Heldin von Gaeta" (The heroine of Gaeta) for mezzosoprano and pianoforte is dedicated to Empress Elisabeth's younger sister Marie, Queen of the two Sicilies.  Queen Marie as Evening star above the coast of Ercole, painting by Winterhalter 1860    

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...

The well-known composer Susan Oswell has written a Cantata a voce sola for virtuous mezzosoprano and piano. Her work, with the title "Die Heldin von Gaeta" (The heroine of Gaeta), is a monologue sung by the last Queen of Naples, Maria Sofia, and can be considered one huge operatic scene similar to Rossini's "Giovanna d'Arco". The mezzosoprano part is very demanding: it contains full 3 octaves e - e''', coloratura and legato phrases, chromatic passages, free speech, extreme high and low registers in both recitativi and ariosi. I am very proud Susan Oswell wrote this masterpiece for my voice and will I present the cantata this year in Naples to the birthday of Queen Maria Sofia of Naples two Sicilies. 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