'A Charm of Lullabies' marks series return<\/p>\n
Y. Bintang Prakarsa, Contributor, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Last year's highly acclaimed Art Song Series is making a
\ncomeback through two concerts, which will both be held at the
\nelegant Bentara Budaya in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
A special program will be presented on Friday of 20th century
\nEnglish art songs from the war years, including Britten's A Charm
\nof Lullabies, sung by English contralto Katrine Roberts, with
\nAvip Priatna on the piano.<\/p>\n
Roberts has been a regular in Jakarta's concert scene for some
\ntime now, though this will be the first time she has participated
\nin the series. Her repertoire has mainly focused on opera,
\nalthough her first collaboration with Avip and the Parahyangan
\nCatholic University Choir back in 1999 saw her work with the
\nmusic of Handel.<\/p>\n
Now, following a serious illness, she finds meaning in
\nintimate art songs, English rather than German or French, which
\nthe series' devoted audience has become familiar with.<\/p>\n
Roberts' performance will include works from famous composers
\nsuch as Elgar, Vaughan Williams and Britten, as well as lesser
\nknown musicians like Herbert Howells, renowned for his choral
\nworks, and Roger Quilter and Peter Warlock, who contributed much
\nto the repertoire of English works of that time.<\/p>\n
Avip is already a household name in Indonesia and was one of
\nthe main attractions during the last series. Last September, just
\nhours after the announcement of a performance with his choir, the
\nBatavia Madrigal Singers, tickets were sold out.<\/p>\n
The event organizer, Yasmina Zulkarnain, then scheduled an
\nunplanned second performance, which also sold out.<\/p>\n
Avip's role as pianist should surprise no one, for he has
\naccompanied the Singers on several occasions. This time, however,
\nhe will only play and not conduct.<\/p>\n
Having presented the first series at Erasmus Huis, Yasmina
\nZulkarnain and artistic director Iswargia R. Sudarno decided to
\ncollaborate with Bentara Budaya, the cultural foundation of
\nKompas daily.<\/p>\n
They were taking a risk. Before the second series' inaugural
\nrecital, featuring the delicate soprano Aning Katamsi Asmoro and
\nbrilliant young guitarist Sudirman Leman, the main hall of
\nBentara Budaya's building had never been used for music
\nperformances.<\/p>\n
The result was surprisingly beautiful. The acoustics proved
\nperfect for chamber music, amplifying the sound while preserving
\nits warmth and intimacy. This exquisite hall is part of a
\nbuilding constructed in 1986, which was designed by priest and
\narchitect Y.B. Mangunwijaya to complement a hundred-year-old
\nwooden house relocated from Kudus, Central Java, to the site.<\/p>\n
The series' November performance will feature Binu D. Sukaman
\nsinging French chansons, accompanied by pianist Iswargia R.
\nSudarno and a string quartet.<\/p>",
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