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Lyric Fest Presents
Claude Debussy: Biography in Music
Saturday, February 10, 2018 at 4 PM
The Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill
8855 Germantown Avenue • Philadelphia
Sunday, February 11, 2018 at 3 PM
The Academy of Vocal Arts
1920 Spruce Street • Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA, PA – January 11, 2018
Continuing its 15th-anniversary season, Lyric Fest presents the latest in its spirited biography series in a program featuring the fascinating life, tempestuous times and sublime songs of one of the greatest song composers, Claude Debussy.
Narrating and reading from Debussy’s letters—interspersed with the music—will be Lyric Fest’s composer-in-residence Benjamin C.S. Boyle, who himself has composed a compelling repertoire of art songs and is immersed in the world of Debussy, Paris and the French literary tradition.
“Every Biography in Music program we do is unique, but the heart and soul of them all is to give an understanding of the composer behind the music, and to deepen our appreciation of the music we love,” shares Lyric Fest’s co-Artistic Director Suzanne DuPlantis. “Debussy’s music is hard not to love, but what was it that made his sound so recognizable and sublime? These programs explore such aspects while providing context. So many times the circumstances, quirks and synchronicities that make up a life are fascinating to ponder, which makes for a fascinating program!”
The celebrated artists featured in these concerts are sopranos Amy Burton and Rebecca Myers, mezzo-soprano Suzanne DuPlantis, baritone Thomas Meglioranza and pianist Laura Ward. The concert’s running time is approximately 2 hours.
Details on the concert season, featured artists and more may be found at www.lyricfest.org.
Lyric Fest’s mission is to bring people together through the shared experience of song by offering to diverse audiences lively, theme-oriented voice recitals designed to engage, educate, stimulate dialogue and foster community. LF is committed to expanding the region’s interest in and knowledge of song as an important and relevant art form, and to access through affordable ticket prices. With a growing national reputation for excellence and innovation, LF receives critical acclaim and attention in a number of national publications such as Opera News.
Lyric Fest’s recording, “Daron Hagen: 21st-Century Song Cycles,” has recently been released by Naxos and additional recordings are forthcoming.
Lyric Fest was founded in 2003 by three Philadelphia-area musicians: mezzo-soprano DuPlantis, pianist Ward and soprano Randi Marrazzo, with the shared goal of celebrating and revitalizing the song tradition. It has produced and presented over 100 concerts and recitals featuring more than 200 local, regional and national artists, actors, dancers and choral groups.
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