My Heart is Calling You
Jan Kiepura singing "Ah! non mi ridestar" from the Opera Werther by Jules Massenet. The scene is from the film where Marta Eggerth and Jan Kiepura first met and fell in love, "My Heart is Calling You". After this film the couple would forever be known as the "love pair". Also starring in the film is the inimitable Sonnie Hale. The aria in the original French is "Pourquoi me réveiller"? English translation: Why awake me?
Plot
Sonnie Hale in the role of Opera Director, Alphonse Rosée, is traveling with his operatic ensemble from South America to Monte Carlo. Jan Kiepura, as Mario Delmonti, the prized tenor of the ensemble, gets a big surprise when he finds Carla, a stoway in his cabin, played by none other than Marta Eggerth. While Mario manages to raise money among the first class passengers through his magnificent singing, to secure her passage, another huge problem arises. The Rosée Opera receives a devasting telegram that their Monte Carlo performance is cancelled. However, Carla and Rosée devise a plot where Mario would convince Monsieur Arvelle, the Director of the Monte Carlo Opera to change his mind. Upon arrival they find their way to the Opera House, Mario sings gloriously, "Ah! Non mi ridestar" only to find it is not the Director Arvelle but his secretary, Fevrier, played by Ernest Thesiger who is listening enraptured.
The Rosée Opera finally prevails, when their outside performance of Tosca creates such a sensation, with Jan Kiepura singing to the crowds, that the Opera House empties out and Mario and Carla fall into each others arms.
You, Me, and Love
"You, Me, and Love", and so sang Jan Kiepura, in the role of the passionate tenor Mario Delmonti in the 1935 movie "My Heart is Calling You" as he declares his love for the beautiful Hungarian Marta Eggerth in the role of Carla. Famed Operetta composer, Robert Stolz, wrote this hit piece, lyrics by Tommie Connor.
Marta and Jan met and fell in love on the set of this film. The opening lyrics and refrain of this song describes this first encounter so perfectly.
"Beautiful music I feel in my soul,
Music that comes like a dream to console;
Music that came the first day we met. Sweet day of joy I can never forget...."
Refrain:
You, me, and love, beautiful love, three good companions forever we'll be. All that I own, is yours alone, I found my heaven in your company. Let come what may, with you I'll stay, life was created for you, me and love, speak not a word, only say with your eyes, my hears for you, only for you, smile and the song in my soul will come true, you me and love my love, love, my love....
In the original 1934 German film 1934 Mein Hertz ruft nach dir, the lyrics were by Ernst Marischka. The song, composed by Robert Stolz was entitled "Ich sing' mein Lied heut' nur für dich" the music arranged for voice and piano with guitar chords. Appropriately translates to "I sing my song today only for you".
Download the sheet music for "You, Me, and Love" [1.43 MB PDF]
Compiled by Jane Knox-Kiepura and Marjan Kiepura for Patria Productions Inc. Jane Knox-Kiepura: jceciliaknox@gmail.com