Art-Song Recital Sophisticated, Refined
by Judith Mintel, for the Thomas Wikman website
November 17, 2005 - Romance reigned in the University of Chicago's Fulton Recital Hall on Nov. 17, when soprano
Andrea Holliday and pianist
Thomas Wikman presented a program of French and Russian music entitled "Night Songs at Midday." The program was part
of the U of C Music Department's Noontime Concert Series.
The first four songs were by French composers Fauré, Godard, Bachelet and Pierné. All were based on themes of night
and passionate, romantic love. The last four songs were all composed by Tchaikovsky and featured themes of sadness
and longing epitomized by the night.
Fulton Hall, with its high barrel white ceiling and dark wood beams, reflected the night-at-midday theme. Dark
curtains were drawn behind the performers, while sunbeams streamed in from the tall, arched, leaded-glass windows on the
south side. Ms. Holliday was beautifully coifed and elegantly dressed in a dark blue velvet, off-the-shoulder gown
recalling the Belle Époque.
These songs are very demanding vocally, and Ms. Holliday rose to the task athletically with ever improving high, sustained
notes as the recital progressed. She sang the French songs with passion and intelligence, the Russian songs with
great lament. Her voice had wonderful deep, resonant tones in the lower register. Her dynamics were very
dramatic throughout with low, intimate whispers soaring into full vibrato sounds that joyfully bounced off the high rafters.
Her phrasing was poetic, matching the lyrics and giving them meaning beyond words. More >>
