Distinguished Concerts Artist Series
Soprani Compagni
Musical Delights for Soprano Duo
by Vivaldi, Schumann, Fauré, Lori Laitman & more
Friday, March 2 at 8:00pm
Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall
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For Immediate Release
January 23, 2012, New York, NY …. Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) presents the entrancing Soprani Compagni in a recital of music by Monteverdi, Vivaldi, Schumann, Britten and more for this unique combination of soprano duet – sopranos Lisa Dawson and Tammie Huntington – with pianist Phoenix Park-Kim. Showcasing the brilliant range of music for duo soprano, including contemporary works by American composers Jody Nagel and Lori Laitman, the concert, part of DCINY’s Distinguished Concerts Artist Series, takes place on Friday, March 2 at 8:00pm at Weill Recital Hall.
The two sopranos first began collaborating when they were cast as Suor Angelica and Suor Genovieffa in the opera by Puccini during their graduate studies at Ball State University, and are currently both on the faculty of Indiana Wesleyan University. Delighted with the way in which their personalities and voices complemented each other, Dawson and Huntington, together with pianist Park-Kim, formed Soprani Compagni for the express purpose of researching and performing soprano art song duets, oratorio and opera scenes, modeling soprano collaboration, and commissioning new works for soprano duet.
Soprani Compagni’s program encompasses some of the earliest vocal masterpieces: charming canzonettas by Claudio Monteverdi, and “Laudamus te” from Vivaldi’s beloved Gloria. French mélodie is represented by Gabriel Fauré, with the only two duets for two sopranos from the great song composer, as well as works by Berlioz and Massenet, lieder by Schumann and Vincent Lübeck, and an excerpt from Benjamin Britten’s Ceremony of Carols.
Two Women by Jody Nagel (b.1960) was written specifically for Soprani Compagni in 2009. In this poignant work, two women — one representing the working class and one representing the elite — speak of their experiences after the election of Salvador Allende, president of Chile, and after his murder during the military coup in 1973. Another contemporary work is Fresh Patterns by Lori Laitman, a combination of two poems by and about Emily Dickinson. Also featured are two works from Amy Marcy Beach’s 1890 work, Songs of the Sea. Pianist Phoenix Park-Kim will perform the Verdi/Liszt Paraphrase de concert sur Rigoletto. The concert will also feature violinists Jason Thompson and Emily Thompson.
Now in its 5th season, DCINY offers spectacular opportunities to emerging and established artists, bringing them to New York’s legendary venues. Upcoming concerts in the Distinguished Concerts Artist Series at Weill Recital Hall include Trio Lorca (March 16), the Werner Chamber Quartet (March 24).
Tickets: www.carnegiehall.org or 212-247-7800 or in person at the Carnegie Hall Box Office
www.DCINY.org
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