Vocal and piano faculty of the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music will present “The Complete Songs of Henri Duparc” at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24, in Cole Concert Hall as part of the Cole Performing Arts Series.
Performers include sopranos Debbie Berry and Charlotte Davis, mezzo-sopranos Deborah Dalton and Nita Hudson, tenors Ric Berry and Bruce Fowler, baritones David Howard and Scott LaGraff, and pianist Ron Petti.
Petti will play the piano for each of Duparc’s 17 French art songs, and each vocalist will sing either one, two or three selections as either a soloist or as part of a duet.
“While this collection constitutes nearly all of Duparc’s compositional output, the songs are miniature masterpieces,” said Petti. “Teeming with beautiful melody, lush harmonies within the piano accompaniment, and dramatic poetry, they can hold their own against songs of the greatest master composers, including Schubert, Brahms, Schumann, Debussy and Fauré.”
Among the 17 songs, “Chanson triste,” “Phidylé,” “Extase” and “L’invitation au voyage” are probably the most recongnizable, Petti added.
At the beginning of the concert, LaGraff will give a short, informative lecture on the composer and the songs.
During the concert, English translations of the songs’ French text will be projected.
The recital is a joint presentation of the SFA College of Fine Arts and School of Music.
Cole Concert Hall is located in the Wright Music Building, 2210 Alumni Drive, on the SFA campus.
Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $2 for students. For tickets or more information, please go to www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.
