SFA music faculty to perform works of Strauss
October 15, 2014
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts and School of Music will present members of the SFA voice faculty with pianist Ron Petti in a recital at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus as part of the Cole Performing Arts Series.Petti, director of accompanying at SFA, and voice faculty members Debbie and Ric Berry, Debbie Dalton, Charlotte Davis, Nita Hudson, Chris Turner and Jamie Weaver will present "The Lieder of Richard Strauss." Weaver will also provide a short performance talk on the composer and his songs preceding the concert.
The theme of the concert is the "lieder," which is the German word for songs, of composer Strauss, who wrote approximately 100 lieder, according to Petti.
"Many were inspired by his wife, soprano Pauline de Ahna," Petti said. "Strauss blurs the line between art song and opera with expansive vocal lines and dramatic demands on the voice, as well as technical demands on the pianist. Strauss was one of the few 19th century song composers who was also successful in opera."
Among Strauss' songs to be featured in the program are "Allerseelen," "Cäcilie" and "Zueignung."
"But perhaps the most famous of them, 'Beim schlafengehen,' will be performed by Debbie Berry with SFA string faculty member Jennifer Dalmas," Petti said.
Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $3 for students and youth. For tickets or more information, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu.