Schwabacher Debut Recitals Continues With Martin Katz and San Francisco Opera Adler Fellows, 3/15

The 33rd season of the Schwabacher Debut Recitals continues on Sunday, March 15 at Temple Emanu-El's Martin Meyer Sanctuary with celebrated pianist Martin Katz and San Francisco Opera Center Adler Fellows Jacqueline Piccolino, Zanda Švde, Chong Wang and Matthew Stump.

Widely considered the dean of collaborative pianists and "the gold standard of accompanying" (New York Times), Martin Katz has been in constant demand by the world's most renowned vocal soloists for four decades. Joining Katz for a concert of folksongs spanning three continents are soprano Jacqueline Piccolino, mezzo-soprano Zanda Šv?de, tenor Chong Wang and bass-baritone Matthew Stump.

The program features Brahms' Zigeunerlieder, Ravel's Five Greek Folksongs, selections from Canteloube's Chants d'Auvergne, Ginastera's Cinco canciones populares argentinas, Three Duets by Celius Dougherty, and the gambling songs of American folksinger, folklorist, and composer John Jacob Niles. Martin Katz commented: "In order to bring wonderful folk music into a concert hall, a composer must create an arrangement, design a suit of clothes, so to speak. These arrangements can be serious or amusing, complex or minimal. They are the sets, lighting and costumes for these timeless melodies. Join us as we see how different composers respond to this challenge of arranging-you'll be amazed at the variety."

Since 1983, the Schwabacher Debut Recitals have introduced the artistry of many acclaimed international singers including Anna Netrebko, Deborah Voigt, Susan Graham, Brian Asawa and Thomas Hampson. The annual series showcases exemplary artists who have participated in the prestigious training programs of the San Francisco Opera Center and Merola Opera Program, whose performance-oriented residencies offer intensive individual coaching and performance opportunities to young professional international artists. The recitals allow Bay Area audiences to experience exciting young talent perform a wide-ranging and eclectic repertoire of song literature in the intimate setting of the Martin Meyer Sanctuary.

The Schwabacher Debut Recitals are endowed in perpetuity by the generosity of the late James Schwabacher and sponsored by the Jack H. Lund Charitable Trust. A celebrated Bay Area singer, recitalist, scholar and teacher, James Schwabacher was a co-founder of the Merola Opera Program.

Schwabacher Debut Recitals take place at Temple Emanu-El's Martin Meyer Sanctuary (Two Lake Street, at Arguello, in San Francisco). Tickets are $30 and may be purchased at the San Francisco Opera Box Office in person or by phone at (415) 864-3330 or online at sfopera.com. Student Rush tickets are available for $15 at Temple Emanu-El 30 minutes prior to each recital (limit of two tickets per person; valid ID is required; subject to availability). Casting, programs, schedules and ticket prices are subject to change.

2015 SCHWABACHER DEBUT RECITALS

Presented by San Francisco Opera Center and Merola Opera Program

Temple Emanu-El's Martin Meyer Sanctuary (Two Lake Street, at Arguello, in San Francisco)

Sunday, March 15, 5:30 p.m.

Martin Katz, piano

Jacqueline Piccolino, soprano

Zanda Šv?de, mezzo-soprano

Chong Wang, tenor

Matthew Stump, bass-baritone

PROGRAM:

Johannes Brahms / Zigeunerlieder

Maurice Ravel / Five Greek Folksongs

Celius Dougherty / Three Duets

Joseph Canteloube / From Chants d'Auvergne ("Lo fiolaire"; "Brezairola"; "Malhourous qu'o uno

fenno"; "La delaïsádo"; "Lo coucut")

John Jacob Niles / Gambling Songs ("The Rovin' Gambler"; "Gambler's Lament"; "The Gambler's

Wife"; "Gambler, Don't You Lose Your Place")

Alberto Ginastera / Cinco canciones populares argentinas

For more information on the San Francisco Opera Center and Merola Opera Program, visit sfopera.com and merola.org.