Bearing in mind the drama of Schubert's Erlking, suggest a story either from literature or from a movie that you think would make a successful Lied, with solo voice and piano. Brifly describe the story and suggest some effects that might be achieved in the Lied.

To suggest a story that would make a successful Lied, it's important to consider factors such as dramatic tension, emotional depth, and potential for expressive musical interpretation. One possible choice could be Edgar Allan Poe's gothic short story, "The Tell-Tale Heart."

Briefly, "The Tell-Tale Heart" revolves around an unnamed narrator plagued by guilt and paranoia after committing a heinous crime - the murder of an elderly man. As the story progresses, the narrator becomes increasingly tormented by the haunting sound of the victim's heart, which he believes is still beating, even after concealing the body.

To highlight the dramatic elements and emotional tensions of this story in a Lied, there are several effects that could be explored:

1. Text painting: The haunting sound of the beating heart could be musically represented through pulsating chords or rhythmic patterns in the piano accompaniment, symbolizing the narrator's growing anxiety and guilt.

2. Expressive dynamics: The vocalist could employ a range of dynamics, from soft and introspective to intense and explosive, to depict the narrator's changing emotional states. Gradual crescendos and decrescendos could convey the character's internal turmoil.

3. Dissonance and chromaticism: The harmonic language of the Lied could incorporate dissonant or chromatic elements to capture the dark and disturbed aspects of the story. This could create a sense of ambiguity and tension in the music.

4. Vocal inflection: The singer's interpretation could include vocal techniques such as melodic leaps, sudden shifts in register, or glissandos, to reflect the narrator's instability and psychological unraveling.

By combining these effects with thoughtful interpretation and delivery, a Lied inspired by "The Tell-Tale Heart" could convey a sense of visceral unease, building towards a climax that encapsulates the narrator's descent into madness.