Monday, Feb 18, 2013
"Wagner, Wagnerites and the Lied" includes recitals, lectures and master class February 22 and 23.
by Anne Sears
Westminster Choir College will present the 2013 Art Song Festival, titled “Wagner, Wagernites and the Lied,” on Friday, February 22 and Saturday, February 23. The program will feature lectures, a master class and recitals on the Westminster Choir College of Rider University campus in Princeton.
Friday, February 22 at 8 p.m., in Bristol Chapel Westminster Choir College students, accompanied by J.J. Penna, will perform works Wolf, Mahler, Strauss, Zemlinsky, Schoenberg and Berg. At 7:15 p.m. Professor Lindsey Christiansen will present a pre-recital lecture focusing on Wagner and the lieder of late Romanticism
Saturday, February 23 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. in The Playhouse renowned soprano Christine Goerke will lead a master class with Westminster Choir College students. At 8 p.m., in Bristol Chapel Westminster Choir College students, accompanied by J.J. Penna, will perform songs by Hugo Wolf on texts by Eduard Mörike. At 7:15 p.m. Professor Lindsey Christiansen will present a pre-concert lecture focusing on Wagner and Wolf.
Christine Goerke is a Grammy Award winning American dramatic soprano who has performed with many of the world's leading opera companies, orchestras, and musical ensembles. She is especially renowned for her performances of the music of Richard Strauss and Richard Wagner.
Professor of Voice Lindsey Christiansen is active as a clinician for master classes and lectures in song literature and voice pedagogy. She holds a Bachelor of Art in Music History from the University of Richmond, and a Master of Music in Voice and Organ from the University of Illinois. In addition to teaching at Westminster Choir College, she has taught at the University of Illinois and the University of North Carolina.
Pianist J.J. Penna, has performed in recital with some of the world’s most notable singers. Dr. Penna holds a doctoral degree from the University of Michigan, and he has served on the faculties of the Yale University School of Music, Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, the Bowdoin Chamber Music Festival and the Ravinia Festival’s Steans Institute for Young Artists. In addition to serving on the Westminster Choir College faculty he is a coach at The Juilliard School.
Recital tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. The February 23 master class is open to the public at no charge. Order tickets through the box office at 609-921-2663 or online at www.rider.edu/arts.