Evidence of Things Not Seen
Artists: Aaron Engebreth, baritone; Martha Guth, soprano; Joe Dan Harper, tenor; Lynne McMurtry, mezzo-soprano; Alison d’Amato, piano.
Florestan Recital Project has developed a special residency package that features a performance of Evidence of Things Not Seen, Ned Rorem’s compelling evening-length song cycle. The piece involves 4 singers (SATB) and a pianist, and Florestan worked directly with Ned Rorem to give the Boston premiere of the piece in 2003. Written in 1997, Evidence is a ground-breaking example of vocal chamber music that chronicles three main stages of human existence with a seamless combination of solos, duets, trios, and quartets. Evidence provides a unique basis for a song residency because of its specific ensemble of performers, its representation of Rorem’s command of text setting, and its direct communication of human experience.
Evidence is the fulfillment of Rorem’s longtime dream of an “Art of the Song.” This cycle uses an excellent selection of English-language texts to express the journey of a life lived, encompassing the emotional breadth of youthful innocence, love and love lost, the struggles with illness and grief, and, finally, the wisdom and reconciliation that can come at the end of life. The cycle’s texts include poems by Theodore Roethke, Walt Whitman, Paul Goodman, W.H. Auden, Oscar Wilde, as well as prose settings by William Penn and translations of the French authors Colette, Charles Baudelaire, and Julien Green.
While Florestan works with singers and pianists to enhance their understanding of song within all styles and languages, we recognize that young singers often respond more easily to new musical ideas when they have a straightforward relationship with the music’s language. Evidence provides a vehicle for Florestan to demonstrate the expressive power of a cycle in English, and it serves as an effective departure point for work in other repertoire.
A sample schedule of the residency follows:
Day One: Arrival at college/university. Florestan artists will offer an open rehearsal of Evidence of Things Not Seen for students and faculty.
Day Two-Three: Masterclasses, individual coachings, and seminars with students. Topics relate to song repertoire, poetry reading, and collaboration specific to song performance.
Day Four: Evening performance of Evidence of Things Not Seen by Florestan Recital Project.
Base cost for residency*:
$1000 performance fee per artist. Additional fees to be negotiated according to classes and length of residency. Housing and travel must be provided by the school.
*The parameters of this residency, such as its length, number of classes, and use of specific artists can easily be tailored to the needs and preferences of each individual school.
Please contact Alison d’Amato at 617.510.9219, or email her at agdamato@florestanproject.org for more information.