Vertonung

The Witch and the Saint  By Steven Reineke (based upon a novel by Ulrike Schweikert)

The Witch and the Saint is a programmatic tone poem for symphonic band and is constructed of five distinct sections.  The opening (mm. 1-55) depicts the birth of two twin sisters born in 1588 in Ellwangen, Germany.  In those times, the birth of twins was considered a bad omen and as the sisters grew up, it became clear that they had the gift of second sight and could predict future events.  The thematic material representing both sisters is first introduced in this section along with a medieval, Gregorian chant-type motif.  The second section of the piece (mm. 56-113) is the development of Sibylla's theme.  This sister led a horrible life and her gift was looked down upon.  Many townspeople feared Sibylla and considered her to be a witch.  After a brief transition, the theme representing the other sister, Helena, is introduced in it's entirety.  The third section of the piece (mm. 133-165) is the development of Helena's theme.  This sister was sent away to a convent when she was a child.  While at the convent, Helena is revered as a saint because of her visions.  The fourth section of the work (mm. 166-200) is a turbulent section representing the struggles both of these sisters had in their lives.  Eventually, Sibylla is imprisoned and Helena returns to the town to save her sister.  The fifth section and finale of the work (mm. 210-241) depicts the return of Helena and the rescue of her sister, Sibylla.  As they are trying to escape, the sisters are captured once again and this time, for fear of being burnt at the stake, the saint, Helena, drinks some poison.  She dies in her sisters arms and Sibylla, the witch, rides off in sorrow.

Steven Reineke

The Witch and the Saint
by Ulrike Schweiker

In 1588 female twins were born to the family of the respected restaurant owner Schenckh in Ellwangen. In those times the birth of twins was understood as a bad omen, and as the two girls, Sibylla and Helena, grow up, their family and their relatives notice that these girls are somehow different. They have the gift of the second sight. After having predicted the violent death of their father which, in fact, occurs, Helena is sent to a convent in order to ward away further disaster from the family.

Sibylla stays in Ellwangen, but soon new rumours start. When in the butcher’s shop she predicts that the “Bettelvogt’s” wife will be burned as a witch, she has to leave town as well.

A female shopkeeper takes the girl with her to Leonberg, where both lead a poor life. The shopkeeper tries to get along selling medicinal herbs and homemade miracle cures, but business is bad and Sibylla is often hungry.

The midwife of the town Ursula Benzlin, a sister of the shopkeeper, becomes aware of the unkempt girl and decides to take Sibylla to her home. Sibylla grows up together with her youngest daughter Anna. The experience of having a real family and friends is something she had missed for quite a long time.

Meanwhile Helena is living in the convent, where she is honoured like a saint because of her visions

As Sibylla is getting older she starts to accompany the midwife to her work and to learn from her. She collects a lot of experience and is highly esteemed in Leonberg. Sibylla makes friends with Andreas Ellsesser, the watchman, experiences the caresses of young love. However, her visions start again to torture her. All of a sudden she knows that a horrible fate is approaching her family. Head over heels, Sibylla returns to Ellwangen, but she gets there too late. She cannot avert her mother’s death at the stake. Her brother and sister are not at all pleased with Sibylla’s return. The are afraid she might bring more bad luck to the family.

A very pregnant beggar huddled up on the lane beside the church is suddenly in labor. Sibylla helps her to bring the child into the world and learns from the people standing around her that the midwife of Ellwangen has been executed as a witch. Sibylla stays in Ellwangen and is friendly received by her godparents, the Schober family who runs an Inn.

Sibylla meets the young Parrish Priest Peter Berchtold. He takes her to the Dean's castle. In the dungeon of the castle there is a pregnant woman who is accused of sorcery and who has been raped by the guards. She must stay in the dungeon and give birth to her child there, before she will be burnt.

Sibylla gets so furious about the crimes and the horrible conditions in the dungeon that she goes to the Overseer Konrad von Werdenau and complains. The Overseer is a fascinating man who attracts and rejects her at the same time. He becomes begins interested in the valiant young woman. He plays with her and tries to make her his mistress, but Sibylla resists him.

Soon she shares a dangerous secret with the Overseer. He calls her to free his daughter from an illegitimate child. He is thankful and helps her. She get permission to take care, together with the Priest, of the great number of prisoners in the dungeon who are waiting for their witch trials and is admitted to the midwife examination. At last she is allowed to work in Ellwangen.

Sibylla spends much time with the Priest of the town. Both fall in love with each other and give in to their strong feelings. Afterwards the Priest is tormented by scruples. He wants to put an end to the affair. His sister, who catches them when they are kissing pursues the young midwife with hostility. When Sibylla feels that she is pregnant she tries to abort the child. However, the drink is to strong so that she almost bleeds to death. Priest Berchtold succeeds in getting her to the hospital just in time. He saves her but he is so horrified at this sin that he dissociates himself from her even more. On the other hand the Overseer cares for Sibylla and has new cloths made for her. Priest Berchtold observes his efforts with increasing jealousy . He is convinced that Sibylla is the Overseer's mistress.

For a long time Sibylla can avoid the Overseer but her godmother's daughter, Maria Schober, is imprisoned and Sibylla asks the Overseer to help her, he demands her love. Sibylla agrees. He is no rude conqueror. She alternates between desire and defence, but finally rejects him for fear of another pregnancy. All the same, the Overseer keeps his promise and tries to persuade the Chancellor Karl Kibler who is the almighty judge of the "witches", to set Maria free. Kibler does not agree. He is drunk and roused by the discussion with the Chancellor. He replies that it is Sibylla who did not keep the agreement. The situation escalates. Konrad von Werdenau rapes Sibylla. Both are disillusioned thereafter. The Overseer advises Sibylla to flee the town without delay. He has already taken his family to safety. Both say good by, sad that their friendship had to end in such a way. Sibylla goes to her chamber and decides to leave Ellwangen on the next morning.

Priest Berchtold who sees Sibylla coming from the Overseer's house is burning with jealousy. He gets drunk and accuses Sibylla of sorcery in the presence of the other guests. In the first light of dawn Sibylla is apprehended and locked up in the dungeon where Maria Schober is. The Priest regrets his thoughtless words but it is too late. He cannot do anything for her.

Sibylla has a tin of poison smuggled into the dungeon and saves Maria from being burnt to death. In her dreams she meets her sister who is honoured in her convent. But then Helena appears in reality. She persuades Sibylla to change cloths with her and to escape. She does not believe that the Henchmen will dare to assault a Saint.

Sibylla flees but at the agreed meeting point she waits for her sister in vain. The Overseer comes instead. From the strange rumours in town he had figured the story out and he tells her that her sister had been tortured. Sibylla blames herself. She secretly returns to the town to save Helena. She brakes into the Chancellor's house and tries to get his signet ring. They fight and Sibylla hurts the Chancellor seriously with a knife. In the lane she meets the Priest. He wants to make up for his fault. Together with the Overseer, he forges release documents and gets Helena out of the dungeon. Sibylla rides off with her sister but they do not get far. For fear to be burnt at the stake, Helena has taken the poison which was still in the skirt she had changed with her sister. She dies in Sibylla's arms. Sibylla goes to Leonberg feeling sad. Priest Berchtold leaves Ellwangen as well. He rides after Sibylla.

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