Dein ist mein ganzes Herz

In my heart, Dein ist mein ganzes Herz will forever be a tribute to you, dear Charlotte. It will remind me of the privilege of having you and Charles become part of our life.

I was never surprised that this famous, fabulous, heart-felt aria was one of your favorites. All of Austro-Hungarian Franz Lehár’s creation is beautiful, melodic music that I take pleasure in using as a vivid, undeniably accurate example that indeed excellent classical tunes were written in the XX century.

The cherished Dein ist mein ganzes Herz reminds me of your love of opera, which led you to learn and master the intricate details of dozens of masterpieces. How fun and rewarding it was for many of us to ask you about arias, singers, scripts and plots and always get a solid answer which invariably was accompanied by your winning smile.

The exceedingly Viennese Dein ist mein ganzes Herz tells me of another Austrian masterpiece: the Radeztky March, which forever imprinted Johan Strauss Sr.’s name in the annals of immortal music. This work of genius, composed to honor Czech nobleman and Austrian general Johan Joseph Radetzky von Radtetz, is one of my favorite pieces to play on the accordion. How could I ever forget playing this cherished march for you?  Overcome by emotion, I was unable to hit many of the martial, elegant, lively chords conceived by Strauss. Yet, you rewarded my rather imprecise rendition of the Marsch by conducting it with your hands and granting me the gift of your sweet smile and generous, clearly underserved applause. It was with incidents like this that you showed me, my family, and the rest of the people who loved you that you had a marvelous disposition to overlook our limitations and exalt our virtues.

The moving Dein ist mein ganzes Herz brings back vivid memories of meeting you and Charles for the first time, of your deep blue eyes in which we always found so much love. It makes me remember that as we were introduced, you and Charles indicated that you would like to become part of our lives. Indeed, you have, and my family and I have been blessed.

The inspirational Dein ist mein ganzes Herz invariably makes me think of the beautiful love you and Charles shared; an unyielding, resolute and sublime love that continues to shine for us to see.

Dein ist mein ganzes Herz paints a picture of Rafa singing this awe-inspiring, magnificent melody at the Bistro. Today, I could almost hear you responding to my son’s interpretation of that gorgeous Viennese cadence… I could almost see you saying to Charles and to all the others you loved, “Dein ist mein ganzes Herz… My whole heart is yours…”

We love you, and you live in our hearts, dear Charlotte.

Rafael, on behalf of the Moras family