British-born Canadian mezzo-soprano Susan Platts is known for her Mahler and Bach interpretations, which she has performed around the globe. In 2004, Jessye Norman chose her from among 26 candidates worldwide to be her protégée for a year as part of the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative. She has appeared with major orchestras such as the Detroit Symphony (Itzhak Perlman) and the NAC Orchestra (Pinchas Zukerman) and made her debut at Teatro alla Scala and Teatro di San Carlo as well as return engagements with the Vancouver and Toronto Symphony Orchestras. She has also opened two of America’s distinguished art song series, the Vocal Arts Society at the Kennedy Center and the Art of the Song Series at Lincoln Center in New York. Her recordings include Mahler’s Das Lied von der Erde for Fontec Records with Gary Bertini and the Tokyo Metropolitan Orchestra and a CD of dramatic sacred art songs with Dalton Baldwin.

First LMMC recital.

Pianist Rena Sharon studied first with Dorothy Morton, continuing at Eastman and Indiana University. In addition to her concert schedule, she lectures extensively about Art Song, is currently Professor of Collaborative Piano Studies at UBC and Artistic Co-Director of the Young Artist Experience.

www.susanplatts.com

Programme:

BRAHMS                     Vergebliches Ständchen, Opus 84 No. 4
                                      Geheimnis, Opus 71 No. 3
                                      Das Mädchen spricht, Opus 107 No. 3

C. SCHUMANN           Was weinst du, Blümlein, Opus 23 No. 1
                                      Mein Stern
                                      Ich stand in dunkeln Träumen

R. SCHUMANN           Frauenliebe und Leben, Opus 42

MAHLER                      Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen

BRITTEN                      The Salley Gardens
                                      Early One Morning
                                      O Waly, Waly

QUILTER                      Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal, Opus 3 No. 2
                                      Love’s Philosophy, Opus 3 No. 1