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The Song of the Earth (ballet)

Kenneth MacMillan's famous ballet the Song of the Earth was set to Mahler's score "Das Lied von der Erde" with lyrics translated from Chinese poems from the eighth century. The ballet, presented in 1965 by the Stuttgart Ballet, reveals man's struggle over hope, faith and renewal after death. The focus is on a group of young people who ignore their mortality while enjoying their lives. The leading man is followed everywhere by the Messenger of Death as a shadow, while the leading woman appears lonely, as an outsider who doesn't belong to anyone, having constant fear of death. When she finally finds love, death tears them apart. Realizing the importance of accepting mortality, her loss and loneliness, the Messenger returns with her love and holding hands, they take steps together into eternity.