A star-studded evening awaits the audience for the dual appearances of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and American soprano Heidi Grant Murphy tonight at 8 p.m. in Mendelssohn Theatre. With strong American roots, both the Chamber Music Society and Murphy are international celebrities. This global perspective is reflected in the selections for tonight”s concert.
- Paul Wong
- Members of the Chamber Music Society show off their repertoire tonight.<br><br>Courtesy of UMS
The sensual and voluptuous work of Heitor Villa-Lobos titled “Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5 for Soprano and Violoncellos,” will be performed by Murphy. She will be accompanied by Fred Sherry, a cellist with CMSLC, and cello students from the University School of Music. Her lilting soprano range, coupled with her impeccable vocal technique, is winning complements to her warm and engaging musical style. Murphy”s repertoire is expansive, exciting and celebratory. In 1995, she commissioned a body of works based on Santa Clara Indian songs and chants. Mark Neikrug published these songs under the title “Pueblo Children”s Songs.” She also premiered the works in her New York recital debut at Carnegie Hall.
In addition, she has sung numerous roles at the Metropolitan Opera, including Pamina in “Die Zauberflote,” Sophie in “Der Rosenkavalier,” and Susanna in “Le Nozze di Figaro.” Of the latter performance, The New York Times described her as a “vocally exquisite and endearing Susanna, she is a lively musician and a perky actress.” Last spring, she performed the “Angel in St. Francis of Assisi,” by Messiaen, under the direction of Robert Spano, with the Brooklyn Philharmonic. Her latest recording is “Twilight and Innocence,” with her husband Kevin Murphy.
This is the fourth visit to the campus for the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. The Chamber Music Society sprung from an urge to include chamber music in the then-new Lincoln Center in New York City in 1965. Alice Tully provided the patronage and leadership for this effort. On September 11, 1969, Alice Tully Hall opened with the premiere concert of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. The Society is committed to the highest standards of ensemble work, to diversity in its repertoire, and development of young audiences as well as young artists. David Shifrin, a clarinetist, is the Society”s current Artistic Director. During this season, the Society will present over 100 performances. With a core of twenty resident artists, the Society is joined during the course of the concert year by over 50 guest artists. The chamber orchestra”s works have included a performance of the silent film, “Der Golem” with a new score by Betty Olivero. Some artists who have appeared with the Society include Joshua Bell, violinist, Andre Watts, pianist, and Jerry Hadley, tenor.
In addition to the “Brachianas Brasileiras,” another work by Villa-Lobos will be featured on the program. Opening the program is the “Suite for Soprano and Violin,” written by Villa-Lobos in 1923. Other works will include the “Sonata for Flute, Violin and Harp” by Debussy and Tavener”s “To a Child Dancing in the Wind.”