La Momma Morta
I am transported back to 1993;
attending frequent memorials, seeing partners bereft in grief concurrently
dealing with legal robbery of their property because law doesn’t exist. Still reeling from the oppression of Reagan
who gave no money for research or clinic, and cast isolation and persecution on
the afflicted. I help manning a hotline
where familial rejection and ostracism drive many to despair and a few to
suicidal leanings.
My work is in a bad period. I am sad and adrift.
The movie “Philadelphia” is released.
This is a watershed in my
community. Music by Bruce Springstream
becomes my anthem in a film that is the first major effort to address the
reality of HIV/AIDS. Tom Hanks portrays a
dying lawyer fired from his job because of his disease. Suing for his rights
and dignity, he is having a pre-testimony huddle with his lawyer Denzel
Washington, who is in a transition from being homophobic. Hanks puts on a
recording of the aria “La Momma Morta” from the opera “Andrea Chénier” by Umberto
Giordano. It is about death. Hanks narrates the libretto for an
astounded Washington. Sung by Maria Callas, the music swells. Callas grabs my
heart as her voice soars like that of a gull over waves in the ocean. I think I am hearing an angel.
“A voice
full of harmony says,
You must live, I am life itself!
Your heaven is in my eyes!
You are not alone.
I shall collect all your tears
I will walk with you and support you!
Smile and hope! I am Love!
Are you surrounded by blood and mire?
I am Divine! I am Oblivion!
I am the God who saves the World
I descend from Heaven and make this Earth
A heaven! Ah!
I am love, love, love." *
You must live, I am life itself!
Your heaven is in my eyes!
You are not alone.
I shall collect all your tears
I will walk with you and support you!
Smile and hope! I am Love!
Are you surrounded by blood and mire?
I am Divine! I am Oblivion!
I am the God who saves the World
I descend from Heaven and make this Earth
A heaven! Ah!
I am love, love, love." *
Musical ecstasy. I am drained. The shock after walking into the bright
daylight outside after is nothing compared to the impact to my soul. With new lifelong understanding, I know love
binds me to life.
-Jerry Wendt 2013 329
words
*excerpt from the aria “La Momma Morta” from the opera “Andrea Chénier” by Umberto
Giordano
If you would
like to see this scene which won Hanks an Academy Award, you may revisit it
here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3b0p9mTJOJI
