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Fresh Voices! ★
Storrs Congregational Church
7:00 pm Saturday, 15 July, 2023.
Organ Sonata No. 1 in F minor: II. Adagio, IV. Allegro Assai Vivace
Music by Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)
Mendelssohn was commissioned by an English music publisher after his organ concerts in England, where he famously improvised for his audiences.
“Tutto è gioia, tutto è festa” from La Sonnambula
Music by Vincenzo Bellini (1801-1835)
Lyrics by Felice Romani (1788-1865)
Lisa is the local innkeeper in this Italian rom-com opera. She was once engaged to the male lead, but he is marrying someone else tonight “Everything is joyful and festive, but for me this is torture ”
“La Pastorella dell’Alpi”
Music by Gioachino Rossini (1792-1868)
Lyrics by Count Carlo Pepoli (1796-1881)
A shepherdess sells her wares in the market and offers help to weary travelers. But, don’t take her kindness for flirting - she’s taken!
Vier Gesänge, Op. 70 No. 2
Four Songs by Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
Lyrics by Larl von Lemcke (1831-1913), Karl Candidus (1817-1872), Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832) and Gottfried Keller (1819-1890).
1 A beautiful garden by the shore has tall trees and birds that sing of endless longing
2. Larks sing like ethereal spirits, making memories pass by when I close my eyes.
3 Why are sensitive people are always so melancholy, wishing they were somewhere else?
4. A traveler walks down a lonely road, but feels raindrops and knows there is a rainbow overhead. Similarly, while now even those beside me don’t understand, with time they’ll see my name go down in history with honor.
On the Doorstep
Two Songs by Sarah Ann Marze (b. 2001)
Lyrics by Jane Hirshfield and Ginny Lowe Connors
We will introduce the poetry before this performance "Hope and Love" (c) Jane Hirshfield, from The Lives of the Heart (NY: HarperCollins, 1997); used by permission of the author, all rights reserved.
A ten minute intermission will follow our first half.
Piece Heroïque from Trois Pieces
César Franck (1822-1890)
This bold piece was written for the opening of the Pallais de Challot in Trocadéro, Paris, which was built for the World Exhibition of 1878. (It’s the palace across from the Eiffel Tower.
“Prayer” from Nightsongs
Music by H. Leslie Adams (b. 1932)
Lyrics by Langston Hughes (1901-1967)
I ask you this: which way to go? I ask you this: which sin to bear, which crown to put upon my hair? I do not know, lord God. I do not know.
“If I… ”
Music by Lori Laitman (b. 1955)
Lyrics by Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)
What is the purpose of our time here on earth? How do we ensure our lives are not lived in vain? Dickinson makes the case for helping others.
“Someone to Watch Over Me”
Music by George Gershwin (1898-1937)
Lyrics by Ira Gershwin (1896-1983)
A popular jazz standard about what really matters in a romantic partner It’s not looks or a whirlwind romance, rather a steady and dependable sort of love that makes you feel safe and cared for.
Sarah Ann Marze, soprano and composer.
Sarah is a composer, vocalist and conductor from Canton, Connecticut She graduated as an Honors Student with degrees Music Composition and Vocal Performance from the University of Connecticut. Sarah was chosen as a 2023 Marshall Scholar, and will be pursuing a Master’s of Music Composition at the Royal Conservatory of Music in London, England. More of her music and performances can be found at www sarahmarze com
Ted Babbitt, organist and collaborative pianist.
Ted is a student at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, studying music education (BME) and organ performance (BM) with Jack Mitchener Ted was awarded the Jo Phelps Fabian Distinguished Music Scholarship and is excited for the many opportunities this scholarship allows. Ted began studying organ in his freshman year of high school with Scott Lamlein, and has taken lessons with Christa Rakich, Jonathan Moyer, and Christopher Houlihan. Ted currently serves as the assistant organist/choirmaster at Christ Episcopal Church in Macon, Georgia Learn more on www tedsbabbitt com