Scholarly Program Notes

Program notes written for voice recitals today may not go in depth into great detail and to the extent of using music examples. This book therefore serves to inform about the music presented at the graduate recital of Ms. Ming Wei Neo, providing biographical and musical information along with examples to aid in the understanding of the compositions. The works discussed will include an opera scene from Act I and the arias, “Che gelida manina” and “Mi chiamano Mimi” from La Boheme by Giacomo Puccini; a song cycle, A Charm of Lullabies Op.41 by Benjamin Britten; four songs, “Il pleure dans mon c?ur”, “L’ombre des arbres”, “Green” and “Spleen” from Ariette oubliees by Claude Debussy; Meine Liebe ist grun, Der Tod, das ist die kuhle Nacht, Botschaft, O kuhler Wald, and Von ewiger Liebe by Johannes Brahms; and Siete canciones populares espanolas by Manuel de Falla. Opera enthusiasts, classical singers, and collaborative pianists or accompanists should find this book useful in helping them know and understand about these works in a deeper yet interesting manner.