Abstract
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>This chapter includes a discussion of the provenance and historical context of Sibelius’s work “Hymn to Thaïs, the Unforgettable” (JS 97), its premiere performances and recordings, and the vocal range. JS 97 is the composer’s only setting of an English text, and was written for him by businessman and supporter Arthur H. Borgström. There are two versions, one for voice and piano, and the other for voice and orchestra. Finnish soprano Aulikki Rautavaara premiered both in 1945, and performed the former frequently in recital. Suggestions are made for performance, based on historical recordings, writings by Sibelius scholars, and analysis of the score as presented in the JSW critical edition of Sibelius’s complete works.</jats:p>