#33 Singing in our own language
Often American classical singers spend a great portion of their time and training singing in the romance languages, French, German, Italian and Latin, as there is such a wealth of material which is part of the standard repertoire of the last four centuries in the form of operas, oratorios and art songs written in those languages.
It used to be that a well-rounded singing recital consisted mostly of groups of songs in these foreign languages with possibly just a small smattering of songs in English.
Fortunately, for American singers in the last 50 years or so, there has been surge of material written in our own language with terrific poetry for texts and contemporary harmonies. This is having a grand effect on what American singers are choosing to sing in recitals and gradually our repertoire is changing. It’s wonderful that there is now an abundance of music written in both the 20th and 21st century which is lyrical and accessible to the changing recital audience as well.
On July 22 and July 24 I am giving a recital program that employs a variety of styles of composition from 20th century composers Leonard Bernstein, Samuel Barber, Ralph Vaughn Williams and the 21st century composers Lee Hoiby, Ned Rorem, Ricky Ian Gordon and Dominick Argento. The poetry is by such greats as Walt Whitman, William Butler Yeats, Robert Graves, Dorothy Parker, Emily Dickenson, e.e. cummings, and Christina Rossetti.
The recital program of songs pieces together a story through their texts; a natural unfolding of life from birth to death; with love, romance , sensuality, loss, despair, healing and rebirth occurring as inevitably and dependably and as surely as the seasons cycle one to the next.
I have invited a wonderful
friend and accompanist, Suzanne Garramone from San Francisco to join me in this
project in collaboration. This offering is an extension of our friendship and
musical partnership which started when we were young women and first worked
together in 1977.
Sarah Oppenheim-Beggs, Suzanne Garramone (1978)
We hope you’ll join us!
Circle these dates:
Friday, July 22nd 7:30 PM at our home with limited seating
Sunday, July 24th 2:00 PM at the Iao Congregational Church, Wailuku
A benefit for Musical Voices Maui
Sing Pretty,
Sarah