cincinnati song initiative

presents chansons de troubadour : trois : chansons villageoises francis poulenc: : quatre chants de la malheureuse francis poulenc: deux poèmes de louis aragon “bleuet” darius milhaud: trois chansons de négresse

LA VIE EN FRANCE From songs lamenting the Great War to folk-inspired peasant music and everything in between, the second installment of CSI's Survey of will provide a glimpse into everyday twentieth- century French life. welcome!

Welcome to the second season of Cincinnati Song Initiative! After a thrilling inaugural season, CSI is ready to build on its momentum and continue its delivery of art song performances to the greater Cincinnati area at the highest levels of artistry and innovation. To that end, CSI will explore a diverse array of thematic material, from the quirky compositions of Les Six to the poignant voices of American female poets Virginia Woolf and Emily Dickinson to the monumental writings of William Shakespeare, and more. It is sure to be a season filled with intrigue and wonder, and we are thrilled to have you with us for it. ABOUT If you believe in CSI’s mission to connect people through the power of poetry and music, Survey of Les Six please help introduce this organization to new audience members and supporters. The best way to grow our family is through you; without your support, none of this would be possible. “The War to End All Wars” was over. Although the artillery was silenced, the war From the bottom of our hearts, we are deeply honored to take this journey with you. I hope would continue on the artistic front. Nowhere was this more evident than in , to see you at many more concerts to come. where exciting, adventurous, and simply amusing ideas were the fashion. On the forefront of this artistic revolution was a group of six young composers that met Warmest wishes, regularly to share opinions and, of course, their own music. They were Georges Auric, , , Darius Milhaud, Francis Poulenc, and Samuel Martin . On Saturday, April 5, 1919, a concert was held in the Salle Huyghens which featured Founder & Artistic Director recent works by these five men and one woman. Afterwards, the group, along with several others, retired to Milhaud’s home. Among those present was the French critic Henri Collet; it was he who coined the collective name by which these composers WHAT IS ART SONG? would become best known: Les Six Français, or Les Six for short. Les Six’s primary advocate and guiding spirit was the composer and eccentric An art song is a vocal music composition, usually written for one voice with piano personality . In his music, Satie attempted to create a unique vision removed accompaniment, and usually in the classical tradition. By extension, the term “art song” from all Germanic influences, antithetical to the grandeur and solemnity of Richard is used to refer to the genre of such songs. An art song is most often a musical setting Wagner, and devoid of the voluptuousness of . His dislikes included the of an independent poem or text, intended for the concert repertory as part of a recital impressionist-inspired music of the two greatest French composers of the era, Claude or other occasion. Debussy and . Satie’s anti-German and anti-impressionist tendencies

Art song comes from all corners of the earth, without there being a definitive country of loosely informed the tastes of Les Six, although certain individuals within the group origin. The song began to develop during the mid- to late sixteenth century had sympathetic opinions toward the aforementioned styles. as concern for textual interpretation grew. In other words, performers began to place More importantly was the artistic circle surrounding Les Six during the time of their more importance on having an obvious emotional and musical reaction to the texts they output. Poets such as , Guillaume Apollinaire, Paul Éluard, and Louis were singing. The genre has never stopped developing since, and continues to be a Aragon, as well as artists like , Georges Braque, Fernand Léger, and living, breathing art form to this day. Francis Picabia influenced and worked with the composers on various projects,

Art song is separate from music for the theater, such as or musicals. Folk songs including the creation of sets for many productions of new works. are a separate genre as well, although many composers arrange such songs with piano The music of Les Six scandalized and delighted Paris at the time, serving as a sonic accompaniment for the concert stage. For example, ’s Old American portrait depicting an era that was one of the most vibrant in the cultural history of Songs, ’s Folk Song arrangements, and the Siete canciones populares Paris. In 2017, CSI embarks upon a three-concert survey of these composers’ art españolas (Seven Spanish Folk Songs) by are all considered art songs song output to honor the 125th birth anniversaries of three of the six: Honegger, because of their intended use for recital settings. Additionally, songs set to biblical Milhaud, and Tailleferre. or sacred texts intended for religious services are not art songs, but those written for the concert stage are. An example is Johannes Brahms’ monumental cycle Vier ernste Gesänge (Four Serious Songs), which is based on biblical texts and intended for the concert stage, thus deeming it art song.

Bleuet Chanson du clair tamis

Les gars qui vont à la fête gars qui Les le joli printemps C’est Mendiant Le Chansons de la fille frivole du sergent Retour Le Mon histoire Abandonnée Sans feu ni lieu

CHANSONS VILLAGEOISES CHANSONS DE NÉGRESSE

Erin Keesy & Erin Keesy Ahyoung Jung Ahyoung Jung Simon Barrad & Simon Barrad Lauren McAllister & Lauren Darius Milhaud Francis Poulenc Francis Poulenc Kseniia Polstiankina Barrad Kseniia Polstiankina

program

Rassa, madame est fraîche et fine est fraîche madame Rassa, Richard II Quarante II Richard C Sieste

Belle dame de mon émoi Belle dame mal en peine Je suis tombé de

Le petit bois Le Nous ne vous chantons pas et le Réséda La rose

Fêtes galantes Fêtes Le delphinium Le rendezvous Le

TROIS CHANSONS DE TROUBADOUR DE TROIS CHANSONS

QUATRE CHANTS DE LA FRANCE MALHEUREUSE CHANTS DE LA QUATRE

DEUX POÈMES DE LOUIS ARAGON POÈMES DE LOUIS DEUX TROIS POÈMES DE CLAUDEL

Erin Keesy & Erin Keesy Erin Keesy & Erin Keesy Ahyoung Jung Ahyoung Jung Simon Barrad & Simon Barrad (1892-1955) (1899-1963) (1899-1983) (1892-1974) Lauren McAllister & Lauren Georges Auric Georges Auric Francis Poulenc Darius Milhaud Arthur Honegger Kseniia Polstiankina Barrad Kseniia Polstiankina Kseniia Polstiankina Barrad Kseniia Polstiankina ERIN KEESY She OH. based in Cincinnati, is currently Erin Keesy American soprano the University of Diploma from Artist and degree her Master’s received she studied with Dr. where of Music, College-Conservatory Cincinnati’s has included appearances Her 2016-’17 season Detwiler. Gwendolyn Hamilton Orchestra, the Louisville POPS orchestra, with the Cincinnati Most Orchestra. and Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Fairfield and performed with Cincinnati Artist Young she was a recently, Trotsky. and Natalia Ford as Mrs. , Frida Opera, Rodriguez’s in Robert of new production innovative She also performed in Barrie Kosky’s She has also as the cover for the Queen ofDie Zauberflöte the Night. Don Giovanni with of in Mozart’s performed the roll Elvira Donna recently in Cincinnati. Queen City Opera stage in the fall as Clorinda in Rossini’s to the QCO She will return Symphony with the Cincinnati Also upcoming is a concert . Cenerentola she will perform as the Queen of where the Night in concert. Orchestra Messiah with the Other upcoming engagements include Händel’s with the Hamilton- favorites” concert an “opera Orchestra, Louisville Song Initiative. with the Cincinnati and appearances Symphony, Fairfield Arts Vocal to continuing to perform with Cincinnati’s forward She looks Ensemble in their 2017-’18 season. AHYOUNG JUNG AHYOUNG of to the art performer dedicated an exquisite Jung, Ahyoung as and coaching experience performance has extensive collaboration, Gala Opera Mozart including the Korea, pianist in South a collaborative of Lieder (2012), recital Strauss Nasook Han’s soprano (2014), Concert songs art of recital Korean (2011), Artists Young for the Liederabend Fidelio performed with piano (2009), La traviata by Inyoung La (2010), she arriving in Cincinnati, Before and Die Fledermaus (2008). (2009), collaborative professional as a for seven years in South Korea worked of College Music University’s Yonsei from graduating pianist after Initially, Piano. with a Master of in Collaborative (COM) Music degree choirs and coached theaters opera pianist for as a rehearsal she worked Ahyoung accompanied Later, while studying a variety of vocal music. and focused on the study of song. performers’ recitals art professional of in the voice studios for eight years COM Professors She coached at and specialist ofAn enthusiast the La. Hyunjoo Chang and Kyunghye of graduate the University ofAhyoung is a recent Schumann Lieder, she received where of Music (CCM), College-Conservatory Cincinnati’s the supervision of piano under her MM in collaborative Professor Griffiths. R. Kenneth , Kaiser Kaiser , Owen Wingrave , and Sibelius’ Kullervo Sibelius’ Kullervo and , Burana Carmina with the Arditti, LaSalle and Vermeer Vermeer LaSalle and Arditti, Ode to Napoleon with the premiered in Finland, where it was featured on it was featured where in Finland, Suomericana, premiered ), fan tutte Guglielmo (Così ), nozze di Figaro Le Before arriving at CCM, Kenneth Griffiths taught at Indiana University taught Griffiths Kenneth CCM, at arriving Before master classes and has held numerous Tennessee and the University of He has accompanied professional Australia. and the U.S. throughout for and the U.S. Russia Germany, England, Japan, Australia, in recitals Ben Matthews, John Garrison, Susan Dunn, Battle, as Kathleen such artists Sarah Valente, Benita Olsen, Stanford Jessye Norman, Susanne Mentzer, in narrator as concert He has appeared Ziegler. and Delores Walker Schoenberg’s KENNETH GRIFFITHS recording Grammophone on the Deutsche and is also featured Quartets of the same work with the LaSalle Quartet. Tanglewood he served on the faculty of the 2016, 1992 through From he taught where Accompanying programs, and Arts Vocal Music Center’s recital and also prepared Singers” class, For a “Russian master classes, he joined the faculty of the In 2017, and ensembles. Austria as a Lieder American Institute of (AIMS) in Graz, Musical Studies Schumann he was a jury member for the Robert In 1996 and 2000, coach. He studied piano in Germany. in Zwickau, Competition Vocal International Hüsch in Munich and accompanying with Gerhard and Europe Australia Indiana University. and at SIMON BARRAD SIMON has been Simon Barrad baritone voiced” of versatility “gorgeous The and Lieder, in opera, and Europe the United States across heard Almaviva pieces include Count and roles His favorite performed concerts. ( ),Atlantis von (Der Kaiser Overall Symphony. He has recently sung with such companies and festivals as with such companies and sung He has recently Symphony. Chamber Cincinnati Opera, Cincinnati Music Center, Tanglewood the Bach Festival. Angeles the Los and Orchestra, southern toured Barrad Mr. scholar in Helsinki, as a Fulbright Last year and and gave lectures recital, with his Musical Madeleine Finland His song abroad. American art contemporary lessons promoting private him music have brought American performances of and recent Finnish the Berlin in venues including headlining wide acclaim as a recitalist, Opera National and Finland’s Musiikkitalo, Helsinki’s Philharmonie, to a residency led programming recital for creative and his gift House, new Barrad’s Mr. January, This past Fellow. Recital very first as Songfest’s recital, performed in ever and was hailed as “the best recital television, Finnish the prestigious and chamber music hall at recital hall” – the Camerata Helsinki Music Centre. the University of holds a Master of from Barrad Music degree Mr. he studied with where of Music, College-Conservatory Cincinnati’s and a French He also holds a Bachelor ofVoice Music in Shaw. Kenneth of California Conservatory Music at the Bob Cole Language minor from he was inducted into the Phi Beta where Beach, Long University, State honor society Kappa

artists For complete biographies, visit www.cincinnatisonginitiative.org/artists LAUREN McALLISTER DID YOU LIKE WHAT YOU SAW AND HEARD TODAY?

Please consider donating to Cincinnati Song Initiative so it can continue providing its innovative and Lauren McAllister is a lyric mezzo-soprano currently based in Cincinnati, robust programs throughout the greater Cincinnati area and beyond. Cincinnati Song Initiative is a Ohio. Recent appearances include Lazuli (l’Étoile, Sin City Opera), Melanto registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your contributions are deductible to the fullest extent (Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria, Opera Louisiane), and as the mezzo soloist for of the law. the Duruflé Requiem with the Cincinnati Fusion Ensemble. Donate online at http://cincinnatisonginitiative.org/donate or by mailing a check to: This past year, Lauren covered the roles of Cherubino (Le nozze di Figaro) and The Maid (The Witches of Venice) at Opera Saratoga and performed Cincinnati Song Initiative the title role of La Perichole with Sin City Opera. She also toured in Norway 210 W. McMillan Street with Grammy®-winning ensemble Conspirare for the 2016 St. Olav Festi- Cincinnati, OH 45219 val. In December of 2015, Lauren took first place in the Nebraska District of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. As a concert artist, Thank you for your generosity! she appeared as the mezzo soloist in the Bach B Minor Mass with the Cincinnati Vocal Arts Ensemble and with the Cincinnati Chamber Opera in a staged performance of the Pergolesi Stabat Mater. UPCOMING CONCERTS

Lauren received her Master of Music degree in Voice Performance from SURVEY OF LES SIX: AROUND THE WORLD IN 60 MINUTES the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), in the studio of Karen Lykes. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Voice Performance November 11, 2017 Experience the final concert of CSI’s Survey of Les Six in an from the Eastman School of Music, where she studied with Robert McIver. 7:30 pm exoticism-themed program that will transport you out of 20th-century France and around the world to England, Russia, , and beyond. Willis Music Steinway Gallery KSENIIA POLSTIANKINA BARRAD

Kseniia Polstiankina Barrad, a native of Ukraine, is an active pianist and AMERICANA: HOW BEAUTIFUL THEY WERE collaborator on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Before graduating with honors from the Special Music School in Kyiv, Kseniia won top prizes at January 7-14, 2018 In a groundbreaking collaboration between CSI and Cincinnati various international piano and chamber music competitions, including Chamber Opera, the intimate world of art song meets the dramatic Dates, Times, & Locations TBA the Prokofiev International Competition for Young Pianists (Donetsk, world of theater as two of the most iconic 20th-century American song Ukraine), the International Competition for Young Pianists (Belgrade, cycles, on writings of esteemed female poets Emily Dickinson and Serbia), the Kyiv State Chamber Ensemble Competition for Young Virginia Woolf, come to life. Musicians in Memory of Yury Polyansky (Kyiv, Ukraine), the Sergei Taneyev International Chamber Ensemble Competition (Kaluga, Russia), and the International Chamber Ensemble Competition named after M. Mazur (St. MIXED BAG: SHAKESPEARE IN SONG Petersburg, Russia).

While completing her undergraduate degree at the University of March 11, 2018 CSI teams up with Cincinnati Shakespeare Company to illuminate Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) under the tutelage of Yakov Kasman, 3:00 pm the Bard of Avon’s most famous words through the pairing and juxtaposition of spoken word and art song. Kseniia established her name in the United States with frequent wins at First Lutheran Church, competitions. She twice became a national finalist in the MTNA Young Over-the-Rhine Artist Competition, winning 3rd prize in 2011. On the concert stage, Kseniia has appeared on numerous occasions with orchestras such as the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, the LaGrange Symphony MIXED BAG: ANGLES AND SINNERS Orchestra, and the Chernigov Symphony Orchestra. May 6, 2018 Art song aficionados Martha Guth and Erika Switzer grace the Kseniia graduated with her Master’s degree in Collaborative Piano from 3:00 pm Cincinnati stage for a stunning recital to be savored by all. The dynamic the College-Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati where she is now working duo will bring to life the words and sounds of some of history’s most Armstrong Chapel United on her Doctoral degree in Piano Performance under Prof. Awadagin beloved poets and composers, centered around Canadian Andrew Methodist Church, Indian Hill Pratt. She is currently touring her recital of contemporary American art Staniland’s Execution Songs. song, Musical Madeleine, throughout the United States including a recent performance at SongFest where she was part of their inaugural Recital Duo Fellowship. Kseniia currently serves as principal coach with Queen For tickets and more information: www.cincinnatisonginitiative.org/events | (610) 762-9538 City Opera. Promote francophone culture, foster Franco-American friendship Increase knowledge of the French language through Institute classes, Conversation groups, Social & Cultural events visit www.afcincinnati.com Promote francophonefollow us culture on Facebook, foster Franco-American@afcincinnati friendship Promoteemail:Increase francophone [email protected] knowledge culture of the, foster or French [email protected] Franco-American language through friendship 513-293- 2948 InstituteIncrease classes, knowledge Conversation of the groups, French Sociallanguage & Cultural through2017-18 MAINSTAGE events SERIES Institute classes, ConversationMusicMusic groups, forfor AllAll Social SeasonsSeasons & Cultural events HAMLET JESUS CHRIST ACTING SUPERSTAR Sept. 27 (preview)- MUSICAL THEATRE It is not necessary to speakvisit French www.afcincinnati.com to enjoy all the bene ts of the membershipOct. 1, 2017 Feb. 22-March 4, 2018 GIANNI SCHICCHI+ SEUSSICAL MUSICAL THEATRE SUOR ANGELICA Oct. 19-29, 2017 OPERA followvisit us www.afcincinnati.com on Facebook @afcincinnati March 22-25, 2018 South of the Border Music from Eastern Europe CANDIDE OPERA LEGENDS OF SouthOctober of the 8,Border 2017 at 2 pm FebruaryMusic from 11, 2018 Eastern at 2 pm Europe DANCE Instrumental and vocal music by Latin American Instrumental and vocal music from Poland, Hungary, Nov. 16-19, 2017 October 8, 2017 at 2 pm February 11, 2018 at 2 pm composers. Artists will be announced. Russia, Romania and Bohemia. Artists will be announced. April 12-14, 2018 email: [email protected] and vocal or music by Latin [email protected] American Instrumental and vocal music from Poland, Hungary, THE ART follow us on Facebookcomposers. Artists will be announced. @afcincinnatiRussia, Romania and Bohemia. Artists will be announced. Happy Holidays with Kimberly Daniel and Friends Baroque Music for the Theatre OF MOTION December 3, 2017 at 2 pm April 22, 2018 at 2 pm DANCE HappyA celebrationHolidays of withthe season Kimberly with traditional Daniel music and Friends VocalBaroque and instrumental Music for music the by Bach,Theatre Purcell, Lully Decemberfrom around 3, 2017 the world.at 2 pm Artists will be announced. andApril Scarlatti. 22, 2018 Artists at will 2 bepm announced. Nov. 30-Dec. 3, 2017 513-293-A celebration of the season with traditional 2948 music Vocal and instrumental music by Bach, Purcell, Lully email: [email protected] or [email protected] Scarlatti. Artists will be announced. LOVE AND from around the world. Artists will PETERLOONbe announced. • 8605 HOPEWELL ROAD • INDIAN HILL INFORMATION PO BOX 43172, CINCINNATI, OHIO 45243 ACTING PETERLOONwww.musicforallseasons.wordpress.com • 8605 HOPEWELL ROAD • INDIAN HILL Feb. 7 (preview)-11, 2018 513-293- PO2948 BOX 43172, CINCINNATI, OHIO 45243 www.musicforallseasons.wordpress.com It is not necessary to speak French to enjoy all the bene ts of theInspiring membership the stars of tomorrow since 1867 YEARS

It is not necessary to speak French to enjoyPromote francophone cultureall, foster the Franco-American bene ts friendship of the membership PromoteIncrease francophone knowledge culture of the, foster French Franco-American language through friendship InstituteIncrease classes, knowledge Conversation of the groups, French Social language & Cultural through events Institute classes, Conversation groups, Social & Cultural events visit www.afcincinnati.com followvisit us www.afcincinnati.comon Facebook @afcincinnati CCM Season email: [email protected] us on Facebook or [email protected] @afcincinnati Presenting Sponsor Join us for a yearlong celebration in email: [email protected] or [email protected] 2948 2017-18. 513-293- 2948 CUSTOMIZABLE SUBSCRIPTIONS AND It is not necessary to speak French to enjoy all the bene ts of the membership SINGLE TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

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