Part I: Robert Schumann's Dichterliebe & Clara Schumann's Drei Romanzen, Op. 11

Intermission.

Part II: Robert Schumann's Solo Piano Works & Frauenliebe und-leben

In this program, we explore the profound emotional landscape of Robert Schumann's Dichterliebe, composed just before his marriage to Clara, and Frauenliebe und -leben, penned shortly after their union was legally sanctioned. Part I embodies the male perspective through themes of love's joy (songs 1-6), pain from a lover's change of heart (songs 7-14), and reflections on a love now past (songs 15-16), interwoven with Clara Schumann's piano solos, Drei Romanzen. Here, the countertenor represents Schumann, while the piano personifies Clara. Conversely, Part II reimagines the timeline of Robert and Clara Schumann through solo piano works and the song cycle Frauenliebe und -leben. In this act, the piano signifies Robert, and the soprano symbolizes Clara. The narration will guide the audience through their poignant story. Unlike the traditional song cycle concert, this unique production intersperses solo piano works and narrations between movements, serving as a reflective commentary that allows the audience to linger and contemplate the unfolding drama. Thus, this performance transcends conventional boundaries, presenting a trio recital with two voices and a piano in harmonious dialogue.