The Moment a 20-Year Dream Comes True on the Rhine: The Miracle of Song, Travel, and Life as Told by Viola's 'Lorelei'
Viola's Essay
This work is a distillation of Viola's signature fresh sensibility and the observational power that transforms fleeting moments of daily life into vivid stories.
The Spartan training from a vocal music mentor, the 'life fulfilled by singing' foretold in a past-life reading, and the dream realized after 20 years of 'singing while gazing at the Lorelei Rock'—the sequence of events flows with surprising naturalness, enveloping the reader in the immersive atmosphere of the journey and the lingering resonance of the music.
Particularly impressive is the description along the Rhine. In the scene where she humorously describes a sudden downpour amidst the fantastical scenery as 'God's wrath,' Viola's unique positive imagination and playfulness shine through.
#WhatIsThisStoryAbout?
I, who 'tried singing Lorelei while gazing at the Lorelei Rock.'
It is an act of irreverence. Utterly irreverent...
The Charm of Viola
Viola is a captivating essayist who writes on a diverse range of themes on note. Her body of work, including the 'I Like Hospitals' series, captures medicine and daily life from the perspective of an observer, depicting them with subtle humor and insight that attracts many readers.
As mentioned in her self-introduction, the stance of sincerely sublimating 'realizations through life and culture in foreign lands' into writing is a thread that runs through all her work.
This perspective remains strong in this work as well. The vocal training, the spiritual element of a past life, and the journey along the German Rhine intertwine like a three-layered structure, leaving the reader with the feeling of having read a lyrical poem.
Respect for Culture
The 'Lorelei' cited in the work (lyrics translated by Sakufu Kondo, composed by Friedrich Silcher) are both public domain works whose copyright protection periods have expired.
The meticulous consideration of clearly stating the credits for the lyricist and composer also conveys Viola's sincerity as a writer.
Review
This is an excellent essay that depicts the theme of 'guidance from a past life' with humor and rich emotion.
It is rare to find writing that can express the joy of realizing one's own small dream through music and travel so warmly and realistically.
Next time, I strongly felt I would like to read an 'essay on music and health' that intertwines the 'I Like Hospitals' series with music.
Rintaro Takechi