A Fabulously French soiree from Art Song NSW

Until Art Song NSW devised its programme of recitals through out the year, there were few regular opportunities for professional singers to perform art song in public recitals and for audiences to hear them. Art Song NSW has filled this desperate need and here in Sydney we now have occasions on which to hear a broad repertoire of art song performed by some of our best singers.

Art Song NSW launches their 2012 season with A French Soiree on Sunday March 11th. Soprano Naomi Johns and mezzo-soprano Margaret Plummer are joined by pianists David Harper and Louise Scott to present a luscious line up of French melodie and poetry.

Berlioz’ Les Nuits d’ete, opus 7 is not often heard in it’s entirety. The cycle of 6 songs, Villanelle, Le spectre de la rose, Sur les lagunes, Absence, Au cimetière and L’île inconnue often performed individually are settings of text by Theophile Gaultier and first published in 1841 with piano accompaniment and later with orchestration. Berlioz himself said “They have nothing of the form or style of Schubert” and Pierre Bernac, baritone, pegagogue and partner of Francis Poulenc wrote ” they show the …influence of the ‘romance’…and of lyric theatre…..The character of these songs is often close to that of an operatic aria, and consequently their interpretation is similar in style”.

Completing the trio of French composers, they will also present songs by Duparc and Chausson, each of them unique for different reasons. Henri Duparc lived till he was 85, but wrote just 14 songs in 16 years. Yet these 14 songs have become so famous, they have possibly eclipsed the rest of his output.

In contrast, Ernest Chausson lived till he was just 44, but composed around 40 melodies described as warmer and more romantic than the detachment of later vocal compositions by Debussy and Faure.

Tickets $40 and $30 (Concession)  includes refreshments and a detailed program with translations.

Tickets available at the door, or make your booking by ringing 0431 892 508,   or online at  www.artsongnsw.org