For lovers
of the richly varied song literature and those who relish the chance to hear
the vocal stars of tomorrow, January sees the return of The
Song Continues …, a cherished series of recitals. Presented at Carnegie Hall since 1997—originally in
partnership with the Marilyn Horne Foundation and now under the auspices of the Weill Music Institute’s Professional
Training Workshops as part of the Marilyn Horne legacy at Carnegie Hall—The Song Continues … is a four-day
festival that nurtures and celebrates the art of the song
recital.
Kicking off last night, the festival is renowned for the mentoring of gifted young singers, centered around three master classes
and the presentation of recital programs by emerging and established young
artists. Joining Ms. Horne
this year in leading master classes are the incomparable soprano Renée Fleming and pianist
Graham Johnson,
one of today’s most sought-after song collaborators. Four young singers, recruited
through an international application process, have been chosen by Ms. Horne to
participate in each of these classes, which are open to the public (though only
limited seating is still available). The group of 12 participants also receives
one-on-one coaching from pianist Warren Jones and sits in on the full slate of
events, an extraordinary opportunity to be immersed into the world of song at
the highest level.
Marilyn Horne, center, with several participants in 2010's The Song Continues ... festival.
Two
duo-recital evenings at Weill Recital Hall and a culminating Annual Recital in Zankel
Hall showcase eight different singers, each of whom has been supported in
recent years by Ms. Horne, with two of the duo-recitalists returning to The Song Continues … after participating
in master classes last year. The Annual Recital artists are now rising stars in
their own right, appearing regularly in the world’s leading opera house and
concert halls. This starry January 19 event also features mezzo-soprano Joyce
DiDonato and pianist Warren Jones as special guests, and a world premiere by
William Bolcom, commissioned by Carnegie Hall for the occasion and written for
the four singers selected for the program: Emalie Savoy, Sasha Cooke, Dimitri
Pittas, and Joshua Hopkins.
While The Song Continues … is the centerpiece
event each season, there are additional programs that recognize Marilyn Horne’s
relationship with Carnegie Hall. Singers and pianists who have been guided by
Ms. Horne return to perform Neighborhood Concerts (such as baritone Jonathan
Beyer with pianist Kristin Okerlund on Saturday, February 4), as soloists
in symphonic and choral programs, and as recitalists on the Evenings of Song
series at Weill Recital Hall (soprano Nadine Sierra,
for instance, on Friday, May 11).
Related:
January 17, Renée
Fleming Master Class
January 18, Duo
Recital
January 18, Graham
Johnson Master Class
January 19, Annual
Recital
February 4, Neighborhood
Concert: Jonathan Beyer | Kristin
Okerlund
May 11, Nadine Sierra | Carol Wong
Photo: Pete Checchia 2010.