"Senza mamma," from Suor Angelica by Puccini

As I prepare to travel to Italy to sing Suor Angelica, I thought you might like to hear Soprano, Barbara Frittoli sing Angelica's main aria "Senza mamma." This performance was done at the Metropolitan Opera in 2007.

In this scene, Angelica has just discovered that her son, whom she was forced to give up for adoption, has died. She mourns his death and the fact that she will never hold him and he will never know of her love for him.

"Und ob die Wolke," from Der Freischutz, by von Weber

"Und ob die Wolke," from Der Freischutz, 

by Carl Maria von Weber

“Even though a cloud may hide it,

The sun abides always in heaven’s tabernacle;

There, a holy will rules,

Blind chance does not govern the world.

That eye, ever pure and clear,

Appraises all beings justly, through love.

For me, too, will our Father care,

For I entrust heart and soul to him like a child,

And even if this were my last morning,

Should the Father’s word summon me from the

bridal threshold,

His eye, pure and clear,

Would appraise me justly too, with love.”

"Marietta's Lied," from Die tote Stadt, by Korngold

“Marietta’s Lied”

from Die tote Stadt, by Korngold

"Joy, that near to me remains, 


Come to me, my true love. 


Night sinks into the grove


You are my light and day.




Anxiously beats heart on heart

Hope itself soars heavenward.

How true, a sad song.


The song of true love,




that must die.

I know the song.


I heard it often in younger, 



in better days.

It has yet another verse--


Do I know it still?





Though sorrow becomes dark,. 


Come to me, my true love.

Lean (to me) your pale face

Death will not separate us.

If you must leave me one day,

Believe, there is an afterlife."

Spring Break has come and is quickly going away!

It's amazing to me that I used my spring break wisely and practiced my recital repertoire everyday and yet still feel that there is so much to do!

However, today I found a stunning royal blue gown to wear on April 6th for my first doctoral solo recital!  I am so excited!

More translations are coming so check back soon!

Mignon Lieder I: Heiss mich nicht reden, by Hugo Wolf

Mignon I:  Heiss mich nicht reden

"Bid me not speak, bid me be silent, for secrecy is my duty.  I should willingly show you all my inmost heart, but fate has willed it otherwise.  

In due time the sun's course dispels the dark night, and it must grow bright; 

the hard rocks opens its bosom, and does not grudge the earth the deep-hidden springs.

Everyone seeks peace in the arms of a friend, there the breast can pour out its laments; but my lips are closed by a vow, and only a god can release them."

Mignon Lieder II: Nur wer die Sehnsucht kennt, by Hugo Wolf

Mignon II:  Nur wer die Sehnsucht kennt

"Only those who know yearning can fathom grief like mine.  Alone and sundered from all joy I scan the skies to the south.

Ah! he who loves me and knows me is far away.  My senses reel, my inmost being burns.  

Only those who know yearning can fathom grief like mine."

Mignon Lieder III: So lasst mich scheinen, by Hugo Wolf

Mignon III: So lasst mich scheinen

"Let me seem to be an angel until I become one; do not take my white dress from me.  I am hastening away from this fair earth to that long home.  There I shall rest awhile, then my eyes will open, renewed; then I shall leave behind this pure raiment, the girdle and the garland.  And those heavenly forms, they make no question of man or woman; and no clothes, no folds, trammel the transfigured body.  True, I have lived without trouble and care; but I felt deep pain enough.  I grew old with grief before my time; now let me be made forever young."

Mignon Lieder: Kennst du da Land, by Hugo Wolf

Mignon: Kennst du das Land

"Do you know the land where the lemons blossom, where oranges glow golden among dark leaves?  A soft wind breathes from the blue sky, the silent myrtle there and the tall laurel.  

Do you know it?  [Do you know it?]  There, there I long to go with you my love.

Do you know the house?  Its roof rests on pillars, the hall shines, the room gleams, and marble statues stand and look at me - 'What have they done to you my poor child?'

Do you know it?  [Do you know it?]  There, there I long to go with you my protector.

Do you know the mountain and its cloudy paths, where the mule seeks its way in the midst; in caves the old brood of the dragons dwells, the rock falls sheer and the torrent over it.

Do you know it?  [Do you know it?]  There, there lies our way; oh father, let us go.  [Let us go.]

Translations for Recital Repertoire

Hi friends and family,

I will be updating my blog with my recital repertoire translations.  I highly encourage you to read about the pieces before attending the recital, or listening to a recording of the recital.

Check in for upcoming translations and stories about the music!

Headed to Italy

It is official!  I am headed to Italy!

This summer I will be spending 1 month in Piobbico, Italy with The Professional Advantage.

http://www.theprofessionaladvantage.net

  

This program helps offer young emerging opera singers the chance to train alongside those working in the field as well as live among the locals in Italy.

While in Piobbico I will have daily Italian classes as well as prepare for a production of Suor Angelica where I will be performing the title role.  At the end of the program we will perform Suor Angelica with orchestra in the local opera house.  In addition we will also have a night of scenes and arias where I will be Mimi in Act III of La Boheme and Donna Elvira in the Sextet, Act II of Don Giovanni.

I am thrilled to anticipate this summer and I will be keeping you posted as new details arise!

But for now...

"Bueno Notte!"