William Wu (吳文修)：Fanget An! 現在開始! fm Die Meistersinger von Nuermber 紐倫堡的名歌手 by Wagner. Tokyo／1978.

Maestro William Wu (吳文修教授, 1935-2009) was a primo dramatic tenor of the National Opera House in Berlin during 1973-79. His biography has been included in Who’s Who in Opera, The New York Times, since 1976, where he was further selected as one of the 50 leading classical singers in the world. His outstanding performance as Radames in Verdi’s Aida in Tokyo won him the 1984 Vienna World Opera Award. His faultless vocalization is mainly based upon anatomic physiology and modern sound science fascinating with uniquely perfect high notes and solid middle register. It is the profound feelings in the every note he sings that is particularly touching.

For more nice-listening singing of Maestro William Wu, please visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/312817434432486

[Synopsis of “Fanget an!" fm “Die Meistersinger” by Wagner]

In ACT I (Inside the church of St Katherine), Walther von Stolzing, a young nobleman, has just come to Nuremberg and fallen in love with Eva, the daughter of Pogner, a rich goldsmith and mastersinger. After the church service Eva contrives with Walther to explain that although she loves him, her father has decided to offer her hand to the winner of a mastersinging contest to be held the next day for the festival of St John.

The mastersingers begin to arrive. First are Pogner and Beckmesser who wants to marry Eva. Walther takes Pogner aside and explains that he wants to join the mastersingers guild.

Pogner presents Walther as a candidate for the guild. To prove his suitability he has to sing a song, i.e., "Now begin", but is failed by Beckmesser, who acts as examiner.

[華格納樂劇《紐倫堡的名歌手》的詠嘆調「現在開始」的劇情概要]

在第一幕（聖凱瑟琳教堂內）中，年輕貴族華爾特·馮·斯托爾辛剛來到紐倫堡，並愛上富有的金匠和歌唱家波格納的女兒伊娃。教堂服事結束後，伊娃向華爾特解釋，雖然她愛他，但父親波格納已決定將她嫁給翌日就要舉行的聖約翰節名歌手歌唱比賽的獲勝者。

波格納和貝克梅瑟到場籌備；後者也想娶伊娃。華爾特把波格納拉到一邊，解釋說他想加入名歌手公會，以便參加歌唱比賽。

波格納宣布他打算將女兒和她的嫁妝作為節日歌唱比賽的獎品，並推薦華爾特為公會會員候選人。為了證明他適任，他必須唱一首歌，曲名為「現在開始」，卻被擔任考官的貝克梅瑟刻意干擾而失敗了。

[German lyrics of “Fanget an!” fm “Die Meistersinger” by Wagner]

Fanget an!
So rief der Lenz in den Wald, daß laut es ihn durchhallt:
und, wie in fern'ren Wellen der Hall von dannen flieht,
von weit her naht ein Schwellen, das mächtig näher zieht.
Es schwillt und schallt,
es tönt der Wald von holder Stimmen Gemenge;
nun laut und hell, schon nah zur Stell, wie wächst der Schwall!
Wie Glockenhall ertost des Jubels Gedränge!
Der Wald, wie bald antwortet er dem Ruf, der neu ihr Leben schuf:
stimmte an das süße Lenzeslied.

In einer Dornenhecken, von Neid und Gram verzehrt, mußt ein sich da verstecken,
der Winter, Grimm-bewehrt:
von dürren Laub umrauscht, er lauert da und lauscht,
wie er das frohe Singen zu Schaden könnte bringen.

Doch: fanget an!
So rief es mit in die Brust, als noch ich von Liebe nicht wusst.
Da fühlt ich's tief sich regen, als weckt es mich aus dem Traum;
mein Herz mit bebenden Schlägen erfüllte des Busens Raum:
Das Blut, es wallt mit Allgewalt, geschwellt von neuem Gefühle;
aus warmer Nacht, mit Übermacht, schwillt mit zum Meer der Seufzer Herr in wildem Wonnegewühle.
Die Brust wie bald antwortet sie dem Ruf, der neu ihr Leben schuf;
stimmt nun an das hehre Liebeslied!

[English translation of the lyrics of “Fanget an!” fm “Die Meistersinger” by Wagner]

Now begin!
Thus spring cried to the forest so that it re-echoed loudly:
and as in more distant waves the sound flees thence,
from farther off there comes a swelling which powerfully draws nearer;
it swells and resounds, the forest rings with the host of lovely voices;
now loud and bright and near at hand - how the sound grows!
Like the clanging of bells, the throng of jubilation rings out!
The forest, how soon, it answers to the call which brought it new life,
and struck up the sweet song of spring!

(During this, repeated groans of discouragement and scratchings of the chalk are heard.)

In a thorn-hedge, consumed with jealousy and grief, winter, grimly armed, had to hide himself away:
with dry leaves rustling about him, he lies in wait and plans, how he might harm this joyful singing.

But: begin!
That was the call in my breast when I was still ignorant of love.
I felt it rising deep within me as if it were waking me from a dream;
my heart with its quivering beats filled my whole bosom:
my blood pounds all-powerfully, swollen by this new feeling;
from a warm night and with superior strength
this host of sighs swells to a sea in a wild tumult of bliss:
the breast, how soon it answers the call which brought it new life:
strike up the majestic song of love!

[華格納樂劇《紐倫堡的名歌手》的詠嘆調「現在開始」歌詞中譯]

現在開始！
春天如此地向森林吶喊，回音非常響亮：
宛如遙遠的波浪，聲音將要從那裡逸散，但在更遠處卻又匯合膨脹，並強勢拉近；
它膨脹並再度起音，森林也跟著響起許多可愛的鳴響；現在的聲音響亮，且近在咫尺。
那聲音神奇地增長！就像鐘聲被敲響，也像人海歡騰爆響！
森林也迅速回應，為它自己帶來新生命，並獻上春天的甜美歌聲！

（在此過程中，不斷聽到要打擊華爾特的呻吟聲和粉筆刮擦聲。）

荊棘叢中充滿著嫉妒和悲傷，迫使全副武裝的冬天也不得不躲起來：
乾枯的樹葉在它身邊沙沙作響，它即使再等待和計謀，又怎能傷害這歡快的歌聲!

但是：開始！
那是當我還不懂愛情的時候，發自肺腑的呼喚。
我感覺到它在我內心深處升起，彷彿把我從夢中喚醒；
我的心隨著顫抖的節拍，填滿了整個胸膛：
我的血脈賁張，充滿了這種新感覺；
這忒多的嘆息從一個溫暖的夜晚，在狂喜的喧囂中，以超強的力度膨脹到大海：
我的心胸迅速回應，帶給我新生命，並獻上雄壯的愛情之歌！