SEPTEMBER 16-30 2020
SIMRAN CLAIRE
Simran Claire is a mezzo-soprano, born and raised in Surrey, BC. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Opera Performance from the University of British Columbia, and was awarded the University of British Columbia Medal for Music, given to the top academic student of the graduating class. In 2019, Simran was a Young Artist at The Glimmerglass Festival in Cooperstown, NY where she performed in productions of La traviata, directed by Francesca Zambello, and The Ghosts of Versailles, directed by Jay Lesenger. While at Glimmerglass, Simran had the privilege of performing in a concert curated and hosted by the legendary Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg. This past December, she made her French debut, singing Gossip #3 and Ensemble in Corigliano’s The Ghosts of Versailles at the Château de Versailles. Other credits include the title role in Rossini’s La Cenerentola (UBC Opera), Dryade in Ariadne auf Naxos (UBC Opera), the Secretary in Menotti’s The Consul (UBC Opera), as a part of a larger symposium on the refugee crisis in collaboration with the Liu Institute for Global Issues; and as a featured soloist with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and the Vancouver Philharmonic Orchestra. Simran is currently pursuing her Masters of Music, studying with Dale Throness at the University of British Columbia.
Photo credit: Michelle Koebke, Diamond’s Edge Photography
This recital is generously sponsored by VWMS Vice-President, Tony Roper.
SPIRIT AND FLESH
Simran Claire, mezzo-soprano & Derek Stanyer, piano
“Qui Sedes ad Dexteram Patris” from Mass in B Minor
J.S. Bach (1685-1750)
Hermit Songs
i. At St. Patrick’s Purgatory
ii. Church Bell at Night
iii. St. Ita’s Vision
iv. The Heavenly Banquet
v. The Crucifixion
vi. Sea Snatch
vii. Promiscuity
viii. The Monk and his Cat
ix. The Praises of God
x. The Desire for Hermitage
Samuel Barber (1910-1981)
3 Chansons de Bilitis
i. La flûte de Pan
ii. La chevelure
iii. Le tombeau des Naïades
Claude Debussy (1862-1918)
Love After 1950
i. Boy’s Lips
ii. Blond Men
iii. Big Sister Says, 1967
iv. The Empty Song
v. I Make My Magic
Libby Larsen (b. 1950)
“A little bit in love” from Wonderful Town
Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990)