Two Programs of Vocal Music & an Operatic Role

Abstract

Two vocal recitals and an operatic role were performed in lieu of a written dissertation.

The operatic role was Cleopatra in George Frederick Handel’s Giulio Cesare, sung in Italian. It demonstrated mastery of stage craft, Handelian ornamentation and proficiency in Italian. The first recital, Her own Society, was an English program of songs with poetry by Emily Dickinson and Edna St. Vincent Millay. The final recital featured two French song cycles: Gabriel Fauré’s La Chanson D’Ève, a pantheistic version of the Biblical creation story with texts by Charles Van Lerberghe, and Olivier Messiaen’s Chants de Terre et de Ciel, with texts by Messiaen exploring his love for his wife and son.

Thursday, March 26, 2015, 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, March 28th, 2014, 8:30 p.m., Lydia Mendelssohn Theater. Kathleen Kelly, conductor. Robert Swedberg, director. George Friedrich Handel’s Giulio Cesare. Role performed: Cleopatra.

Wednesday, September 16th, 2015, 7:30 p.m., Britten Recital Hall. Trevor Chartrand, piano.

Dickinson Settings: Prologue: Copland, Nature – the Gentlest Mother. Childhood: Robert Baksa, Who robbed the Woods; John Duke, Bee! I'm expecting you!; Arthur Farwell, And I'm a Rose op.108/4; Ernst Bacon, Velvet People; Arthur Farwell, The Level Bee op.105/10. Friendship & Love: Ned Rorem, Love's stricken (2nd. Version); Ernst Bacon, Wild nights!; Ernst Bacon, Eden; Libby Larsen, Bind me – I still can sing; Robert Baksa, Heart! We will forget him!. Spirituality: Aaron Copland, Going to Heaven!; Arthur Farwell, Safe in their Alabaster Chambers op.105/2; André Previn, Good Morning – Midnight; Tom Cipullo, Cantilena: As imperceptibly as grief; Ernst Bacon, Alabaster Wool. Epilogue: Aaron Copland, The Chariot. Millay settings by Scott Wheeler, Wasting the night: Thursday; Recuerdo; I shall forget you; Time does not bring relief; The betrothal.

Saturday, December 5th, 2015, 8:00 p.m., Britten Recital Hall. Trevor Chartrand, piano. Gabriel Fauré, La Chanson d’Ève: Paradis; Prima verba; Roses ardentes; Comme Dieu rayonne; L’aube blanche; Eau vivante; Veilles-tu, ma senteur de soleil; Dans un parfum de roses blanches; Crépuscule; O mort, poussière d’étoiles. Olivier Messiaen, Chants de Terre et de Ciel: Bail avec Mi; Antienne du silence; Danse du bébé-Pilule; Arc-en-ciel d’innocence; Minuit pile et face; Réssurection.