| Saturday Nov 10, 2012 8:00 PM - Saturday Nov 10, 2012 11:00 PM | $15.00 - $20.00 |
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Event
This is My Letter to the World with the Alexander-McLellan Duo
Greater Boston House Concerts is proud to present Boston-based artists, soprano Rebekah Alexander and guitarist David McLellan, in a recital of music for voice and guitar by English and American composers.
"This is My Letter to the World" after the poem by Emily Dickinson, this colorful program features the music Benjamin Britten, Lennox Berkeley, Stephen Dodgson, and David Leisner (former New England Conservatory professor).
The poetry includes that of ancient China (in English translation), Dickinson, Emily Bronte, Elissa Ely, Walter de la Mare, and John Clare.
On the concept, Rebekah Alexander says, "David and I want to express the drama and intensity of the poetry, without forgetting the light-heartedness of some texts, and the sheer humor and satire of others. The range of emotional expression is vast from Britten's crafting of the noble reflections of the ancient Chinese, through the brooding mystery of Berkeley's setting of de la Mare's poems; from the naturist quality, but quite possibly politically satirical insanity of John Clare (set by Dodgson), to the intense introspection of Emily Dickinson and others, so beautifully cast by the young American guitarist/composer David Leisner".
The recital is the third of the second season for Greater Boston House Concerts and director Aaron Larget-Caplan. "We started it as a way to connect to the intimacy of the 19th century, and earlier, musical gatherings prior to recorded and amplified music, and a means to connect with our community. Music is a part of our daily life and it should not be relegated to expensive tickets, parking and travel."
Begun in May 2011, Greater Boston House Concerts has hosted 13 events to date. Each concert is followed by a Question & Answer with the artist and hosted by Aaron Larget-Caplan, and a reception. Cider and Teas are offered and audience members may bring their own wine or beer. Free street parking is available, as is easy access to public transportation.
"The October concert was a wonderful evening -- the music, crowd and setting were terrific. The salon tradition is clearly in good hands!"
ABOUT THE ALEXANDER-MCLELLAN DUO
Rebekah Alexander and Dave McLellan formed their musical union in the fall of 2011, having discovered their shared inspiration to present classical music to a broad variety of audiences in unusual ways. They go beyond the traditional recital format, with her approach of subtle theatrical staging, and his of using the guitar to reach out to non-musical audiences. Separately they have active performing schedules and professional lives; together, with their combined forty years of performing and their out-of-box approach, they strike a deep partnership with the audience, especially in intimate settings.
Their professional training credits include the Hartt School of Music, Boston University, New England Conservatory, and the Aspen Music Festival. Their separate professional performing careers have reached across the US, and into South America, England and Europe, including premiers of several major compositions by James Funkhouser, Jorge Morel, Marcella Rodriguez, Gyneth Walker.
Outreach in the form of charitable fund raising also is part of their mission: in September 2011, Alexander began a tour in Boston that took her through the Midwest with an all-French program recital including songs by Saariaho, Ravel and Debussy to raise money for breast cancer research. On January 30, 2010, McLellan joined soprano Rebecca Grimes and major orchestras and chamber ensembles in the 'Symphonic Relief for Haiti', a world-wide series of concerts to raise money for aid to earthquake ravaged Haiti in 2010, having preceded that event with years of fund raising for charitable organizations through a living room lecture-recital series of Latin American solo guitar music.
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LocationGreater Boston House Concerts (View)
21 Virginia St
Boston, MA 02125
United States
Categories
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: No |
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