Donna
Stewart, soprano
Meredith College
GRADUATION RECITAL
Assisted by Susan Faulk Stedman, pianist
(Click on hot links for sound files or lyrics.)
I.
From Cosi fan tutte
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1759-1791)
In Cosi fan tutte, two young men (Guglielmo and Ferrando)
set out to prove to a friend that their fiancees (Fiordiligi and
Dorabella) are as faithful as they are beautiful. The two men
pretend to go off to war, and return disguised as Albanians. Each
tries to seduce the other's fiancee.
Recitative:
Ei parte senti
Aria: Per pieta, ben mio perdona
Fiordiligi expresses relief that the "Albanian" has gone. She
confesses that she is torn by unworthy desires. She then surrenders
herself to repentance and self-rebuke.
Recitative:
Temerari
Aria: Come scoglio
Fiordiligi, irritated at the young men's persistence, orders
them out. Her love is unmoved and she reprimands the "Albanians"
for trying to change her affections.
II.
Die
Forelle
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
I watched as the playful trout bathed in a bright little stream.
On the bank, a fisherman coldly watched the trout's windings.
He treacherously dulled the stream, his rod jerked, the fish struggled
on his hook. I felt my blood stir as I looked at the cheated trout.
Die
junge Nonne
Schubert
How the roaring storm howls through the treetops! Once tumult
raged within me, now there is peace and rest. I await my Heavenly
Bridegroom to redeem my soul from its earthly prison. The bells
from the tower allure me to mighty, eternal heights. Alleluja!
Auf
dem Wasser zu singen
Schubert
As the wavering boat glides on the wave, so the soul glides
on the shimmering waters of joy. Tomorrow again, time will drift
away as it did yesterday and today. Till I, on higher wings, shall
vanish from the changing time.
III.
Chanson
triste
Henri Duparc (1848-1933)
To flee life's intrusions, I would drown myself in the light
of your smile. I forget the past sorrows when you soothe my mournful
heart in the calming affection of your arms! In your eyes, I drink
many tender kisses - perhaps I am healed . . .
Psyche
Emile Paladilhe (1844-1926)
I am jealous, Psyche, of all nature! The sun's rays kiss you,
the wind caresses you, the air that you breathe passes over your
mouth. Yet, when you sigh, I am frightened away.
Mandoline
Claude Debussy (1862-1918)
The givers of songs and the pretty listeners exchange tasteless
remarks under the singing boughs. They whirl in ecstasy in the
rose-grey moonlight, while the mandoline chatters on the shivering
breeze.
IV.
In
the Silent Night (lyrics)
Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943)
Knock
on the Door (lyrics)
Bainbridge Crist (1883-1969)
The
Bird of the Wilderness (lyrics)
Edward Horsman (1873-1918)
English
Translations for I, II, and III
Copyright © 1978 Donna Rose Stewart, All Rights Reserved
Note: These sound files were recorded on a hand-held cassette recorder from the middle of the concert hall. The recital was
in partial fulfillment of senior performance requirements for
the degree Bachelor of Music with a major in voice from Meredith
College, Raleigh, NC. Donna's voice teacher was Beatrice Donley.
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