Program

Prelude from Tristan und Isolde

The Friday Morning Music Club Orchesta

“Blick’ ich umher in diesem edlen Kreise, welch hoher Anblick macht mein Herz erglün!”

(From Tannhäuser, Act II, scene iv)

Matthew Lepold

“Dünkt dich das? Ich weß es anders, doch kann ich’s dir nicht sagen”

(From Tristan und Isolde, Act III, scene i)

Roy Stevens

“Euch Lüften, die Meine Klagen . . . Entweihte Götter. Hilft jetzt meine Rache (Ortrude’s Curse) . . . Wie kann ich solche Huld dir lohnen . . . So zieht das Unheil in dies’n haus”

(From Lohengrin, Act II, scene ii)

Jennifer Wilson, Jennifer Roderer, Matthew Lepold

Intermission

“Wie Todesahnung Dämmrung deckt die Lande . . . O du, mein holder Abendstern, wohl grüsst’ ich immer dich so gern (Song to the Evening Star)

(From Tannhäuser, Act III, scene ii)

Matthew Lepold

“Heil dir, Sonne! Heil dir, Licht! Heil dir, leuchtender Tag! Lang war mein Schlar . . . Oh Siegfried, seliger Held . . . Ewig war ich, ewig bin ich”

(From Siegfried, Act III, scene iii)

Jennifer Wilson and Roy Stevens

The Wagner Society of Washington, D.C. is a non-profit organization dedicated to the study and enjoyment of Richard Wagner’s art. One of the Society’s aims is offering educational events about Wagner’s music to the Washington community and, through this Emerging Singers Program, the development of vocal talent. We hope this concert will further these objectives, and we invite you to join us. We always welcome your contributions and your membership.

The Emerging Singers Program is a partnership between the Wagner Society and Evelyn Lear and Thomas Stewart. It gives encouragement and support to talented American singers with potential to excel in performing Richard Wagner’s music and who demonstrate the ability for productive careers in opera. It is not a contest but may result in support for promising singers.

Evelyn Lear and Thomas Stewart are two of the most noted singers of the Twentieth Century. Their extensive and outstanding careers took them to all of the major opera houses and festivals of the world. Both won prestigious awards. Now living in the Washington area, they are in demand to coach, judge, and for master classes. They are devoted to helping develop young American singers. In this way, they pass on the high standards that were set in their own brilliant singing careers.

The Friday Morning Music Club Orchestra, a project of the historic Friday Morning Music Club, was founded in the 1940s and developed into a symphony orchestra in the 1970's. It consists of highly qualified professional and amateur players, all of whom donate their services. The orchestra is a community service organization that presents four to five of its own concerts every year.

Sylvia Alimena has a very active conducting schedule throughout the Washington area as Music Director and Conductor of the Eclipse Chamber Orchestra, Brass of Peace, the historic Friday Morning Music Club Orchestra, and now the McLean Orchestra. She is also a hornist with the National Symphony Orchestra.

(Read about the singers and more on the back of this program.)