On May 19, 1998, “Elektra” label released “Ophelia”, the second Natalie Merchant studio album. It was recorded July 1996 – May 1997, at “Talking Dwarf Studios” in Little Valley, New York, “AIR Studios” in London, and was produced by Natalie Merchant.

Personnel:

• Natalie Merchant – vocals, piano
• Ken Appollo – organ
• Craig Ross – acoustic guitar 
• Karin Peris – acoustic guitar 
• Lokua Kanza – acoustic guitar
• Craig Ross – electric guitar
• Daniel Lanois – electric guitar
• Don Peris – electric guitar
• Donnie Ward – electric guitar
• Todd Vos – electric guitar
• Graham Maby – bass
• Jay Brunga – acoustic bass
• Peter Yanowitz – drums
• Joakim Lartey – percussion
• Chris Botti – trumpet
• Tom Varner – French horn
• Hector Falcon – violin 
• Kristof Witek – violin
• Conroy Kuo – viola 
• Ralph Farris – viola
• Garo Yellin – cello 
• Michelle Kinney – cello
• Karin Peris – vocals
• N’Dea Davenport – vocals
• Karl Berger – string arrangements, conductor
• John Holbrook – engineer
• Rupert Coulso – engineer
• Todd Vos – engineer
• Ricky Graham – engineer assistant
• Jim Scott – mixing
• Mike Scotella – mixing assistant
• Bob Ludwig – mastering
• Yungchen Lhamo – translation from Tibetan

Track listing:

All tracks by Natalie Merchant.

1. Ophelia
2. Life is Sweet
3. Kind & Generous
4. Frozen Charlotte
5. My Skin
6. Break Your Heart
7. King of May
8. Thick as Thieves
9. Effigy
10. The Living
11. When They Ring the Golden Bells