This Be Her Verse

Description

"And what if a woman wrote the melody?" This question underlies a recital of songs by several female composers performed by soprano Golda Schultz and pianist Jonathan Ware. Beginning with works by Clara Schumann and Emilie Mayer (including her setting of the ballad Erlkönig), this recital intertwines stories of female experiences with the fantastical legends of powerful sirens like Lorelei. By setting William Blake to music, the great American-British violist and composer Rebecca Clarke offers a woman's perspective on texts also set to music by Benjamin Britten. Religious works by Nadia Boulanger reveal a masterful composer, in addition to her legendary status as a teacher of countless great names like Aaron Copland and Daniel Barenboim. This be Her Verse, a cycle of songs by poet-librettist Lila Palmer and composer Kathleen Tagg, is a direct commission from the artists to conclude the program and add an important contribution to the repertoire. Songs written by women, about women, highlighting the female experience.