The members of the Young American Artists Program have a busy summer; they perform and cover roles on the main stage, audition for opera companies, coach with the music staff and participate in masterclasses with guest artists. Beyond all of this, each Young Artist programs and performs a recital at one of many venues around Cooperstown and Cherry Valley. Having recently performed her recital, soprano Jennifer Goode Cooper spoke with me about how she settled on the repertoire. “When thinking about programming this recital I wanted to explore one common theme through many stylistic periods and languages. I began by finding the composers and texts that I wanted to work with and eventually settled on Bellini, Fauré and Barber. Through these composers I found a series of pieces that dealt with theme of reminiscences. The recital focused on the idea of memory and keeping it alive.”Countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo, whose recital will take place on August 10, mentioned the unique opportunities presented by recitals. “In performing an opera, the story is handed to us. Our job as operatic performers is almost exclusively interpretation; our creative powers are used to breathe life into the pre-existing narrative. In a recital, we have an opportunity to tell our own story, to bend the poetry of disparate styles into one cohesive journey.” Jennifer echoed his thoughts, commenting, “You can’t hide. You have a series of poems or text to work with, but in the end you can only tell your own story. There are no costumes, lights or sets. You can’t disappear behind the character you are portraying in the way you can with opera. In many ways it is very freeing because you can just be yourself. Recitals are a more exposed medium of performing, which I find very liberating.”
As a countertenor, Anthony has a somewhat limited range of onstage opportunities, but he finds a great deal more freedom when programming a recital. “As a countertenor, I think the sky is the limit with recital repertoire. Recitals provide a welcome opportunity for me to sing the music of the 19th and 20th century, which I might not otherwise get to sing. What's more, there are interesting gender issues that the countertenor voice presents, even in the world of song. We are used to hearing certain repertoire in a high vocal register sung by women, even when the poetry is written from the male perspective. Perhaps a countertenor's interpretation of such music provides a new perspective.”
Having already performed her recital, Jennifer found it to be “such a wonderful experience. I walked onstage and felt immediate warmth and support from the audience! Sometimes performing a recital amongst many other singers can be a little stressful because you know they are all great technicians and storytellers. Performing here felt comfortable. It was a lot of fun!” With many recitals still to come, don’t miss the members of the Young American Artists Program in their recitals in venues all around the Cooperstown area. Click here for a full schedule. All performances are free and open to the public.
photos:
1. Anthony Roth Costanzo rehearsing with Coach/Accompanist Zachary Schwartzman.
2. Jennifer Goode Cooper (left) in a masterclass with Guest Artist Lisa Vroman (right) and Coach/Accompanist Grant Wenaus.
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