Saints, Sinners and Sweethearts at Lyndon State

SUNDAY AFTERNOON RECITAL WITH INGRED COWAN AND OLE HASS

February 28, 2012

Ingrid Cowan met Ole Haas in his native Germany while she was studying abroad. “That’s where the trouble began,” laughs Cowan. The mezzo-soprano and the tenor found they had more things in common than just opera and German “art songs.” Married since 1991, the couple tours the world bringing smiles and laughter to audiences.

Cowan and Haas will present “Saints, Sinners and Sweethearts” on March 18 at 3 p.m. in the Alexander Twilight Theatre at Lyndon State College. This all-English language vocal recital features a selection of songs spanning four centuries. The performance finds the ridiculous and the sublime in the works of such varied composers as Henry Purcell and Gilbert and Sullivan, Samuel Barber and William Bolcom, and Benjamin Britten and George Gershwin.

A highlight of the concert is the presentation of “Canticle II” by Benjamin Britten. Also called “Abraham and Isaac” and numbered opus 51, this stirring piece is based on text from the medieval Chester Mystery Plays. In Britten’s composition, one voice sings the role of Abraham, the other Isaac. The two voices sing together to create a third voice for God.

The pair will be accompanied on piano by Susan Ricci. Ms. Ricci earned her Master’s in Music from the University of Maryland. An accomplished opera coach, she has acted as coach at George Mason University, Catholic University and the Des Moines Metro Opera. She is the music director at a Presbyterian Church in Maryland and is a Professor of Music at Prince George’s Community College. Widely considered one of the best collaborative pianists, Ricci has been working with Leneida Crawford on a recording of the three hundred year history of American songs. She is also a sought-after accompanist for exacting events like violin or cello competitions.

The recital is free and open to the public.