Let us treat you to an unforgettable evening of romantic German music by Robert and Clara Schumann: the glorious voice of Mezzo Soprano Sonja Bruzauskas and the thrilling work of master pianist Tali Morgulis interpret Robert Schumann, as he was meant to be heard. Dr. Nancy Bailey deepens our understanding of the life and works of Robert and Clara Schumann as artists and citizens of Leipzig.
Escape into a world of longing and incurable romantics, listen to Lieder and piano pieces of Robert and Clara Schumann, and meet your friends for a convivial glass of wine and food on Thursday, March 21, 2013, at 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall of Christ the King Lutheran Church, 2353 Rice Boulevard, Houston, TX 77005.
Robert Schumann, a German Romantic composer born near Leipzig at the beginning of the 19th century, is known all over the world for his Lieder and his piano and orchestral music. His most famous pieces were written for his wife, Clara Schumann. While his time in Leipzig may have been brief, it was most pivotal for his love, life, and career.
Praised for her “captivating performance . . . entrancing vocal line . . . and youthful vigor” German Mezzo Soprano Sonja Bruzauskas “enraptures audiences” throughout the United States, Germany and the world. Recent engagements include the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, the Round Top Festival Institute, ROCO, Da Camera Houston, the Houston Chamber Choir, the Rachmaninoff Music Festival, Listen for Life, and Cal Arts among others. In addition to being a performing artist, Sonja creates concerts and gives talks about interactive and provocative approaches to music and thought.
Tali Morgulis has appeared all over the world; her performances have been described “a pianistic firecracker” and as “full of power and emotion.” She holds top prizes and awards from piano competitions in Croatia, Italy, Spain and the US, and is a recording artist with works by Rachmaninov, Janacek, Shostakovich and Lutoslawski. Ms. Morgulis has been a member of the faculty of the Moores School of Music, University of Houston, as an Assistant Professor of Piano since 2008.
Nancy Bailey is a Lecturer in Vocal Studies for the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University. She specializes in the music of the late nineteenth century, and has taught music appreciation courses for the School of Continuing Studies since 1984, does pre-performance lectures for the Houston Symphony Orchestra and Houston Grand Opera, as well as radio work for Col canto (a vocal performance group in Houston), the Houston Ballet, and has lectured for the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. She is currently writing Song, Lieder, Mélodies, Canzone: A Discussion of the Literature for Voice and Piano. Dr. Bailey holds M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in musicology from the University of Southern California.
Our customary food and beverage reception begins at 6:30 p.m., the program at 7:00 p.m., in the Parish Hall of Christ the King Lutheran Church, 2353 Rice Boulevard, Houston, TX 77005. Check out our Events page for a map. Parking is available at the Rice University parking lot off Greenbriar across the street from the church. Meeting fees are $15 for nonmembers, $10 for members, and $5 for students.
Registration will start at 6:15 p.m. Please RSVP by clicking here or to angelika@houstonleipzig.org now, so that we can plan properly for the reception. We are looking forward to seeing you on Thursday evening.