Student Recital Series features Russian vocal works

On Wednesday, January 29, the Curtis vocal department presents a free recital of Russian songs, prepared by faculty vocal coach Ghenady Meirson, a Ukrainian native who has a broad and deep understanding of Russian vocal literature.  In this brief interview, Mr. Meirson and Curtis student Dalia Medovnikov, a soprano, shared their excitement at presenting rarities by Rachmaninoff, Rimsky-Korsakov, Shostakovich, and more.

Many of the works on this recital will be unfamiliar to most listeners. What was the overall process in choosing arias and ensembles for these particular singers?
GM: In working with young singers, my primary goal is to help them achieve top quality vocalism and artistry. There are many considerations in selecting the right repertoire to make a fresh and appealing program for our audience. We love Tchaikovsky, but he is notably missing in this concert. This time we are offering songs by Rimsky-Korsakov, Cui, Medtner, Rachmaninoff, Gliere, Sviridov and Shostakovich

Dalia, you’re a native Russian speaker, so this literature must carry a special resonance for you. What has it been like for you to share Russian songs with your fellow singers at Curtis?
DM: Russian repertoire and poetry are especially dear to me because of my upbringing. I’ve always found Russian works to carry a certain soul to them, often, I think, as a result of the country’s tumultuous history. Watching my peers learn to love the music has been wonderful. I feel that despite their not being Russian, they were able to tap into the feeling the repertoire requires. I have loved seeing them grow into their pieces, lift the notes from off the paper, and bring the Russian soul to life.

You’ll be performing in the Shostakovich Songs from Jewish Folk Poetry. What has especially intrigued you about these pieces?
DM: Being of Russian-Jewish heritage, singing this cycle is especially meaningful. as it connects me with the lives of my ancestors. Their pains and their joys are very well expressed through Shostakovich’s musical interpretation. I think the music is absolutely unlike anything I’ve ever sung, as Shostakovich is able to encapsulate the weight of Jewish history in addition to reflecting the tone of each individual poem in a very timeless manner, despite not being Jewish himself.

Ghena, why is it important for young singers to study the very rich Russian repertoire?
GM: Our singers receive invaluable exposure to rich vocal repertoire and languages including Russian music. In recent years, three Curtis singers—Brandon Cedel, Kirsten MacKinnon, and Sean Michael Plumb—were winners of the Metropolitan Opera’s National Council Auditions. During the Grand Finals the judges requested a Russian aria from their repertoire list. Brandon offered Aleko’s Cavatina from Rachmaninoff’s Aleko, and Kirsten and Sean sang arias from Tchaikovsky’s Iolanta. While students at Curtis, Kirsten and Sean performed in the Curtis Opera Theatre’s production of Iolanta. As you can see, Russian music is an important part of a singer’s repertoire mix and has practical application!