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Crescendo Ignace "Iggy" Jang |
Songstress personifies
the dramatic sopranoFor all the fame and fortune they generated, "The Three Tenors" are no longer at the summit of the world's best singers. That place would belong to dramatic soprano Deborah Voigt, "Musical America's Vocalist of the Year" in 2003. With her sublime voice and charisma, this diva has upstaged the male trio, winning acclaim from critics and audiences alike.
Performing operas with renowned companies such as New York's Metropolitan Opera and Milan's La Scala leaves Voigt with limited time for concerts with symphony orchestras. The Honolulu Symphony has the wonderful opportunity to welcome her as our first guest of the new year on Friday and Sunday. We'll perform works by Richard Wagner and Richard Strauss in what promises to be one of the season's most dazzling concert weekends.
Voigt is to the voice what Michael Jordan is to basketball or Yves Saint-Laurent is to haute couture. In May she received a 23-minute ovation at the Vienna State Opera, a feat so unique it was covered by CNN and the Associated Press.
COURTESY DEVON CASS
Diva in Paradise
Deborah Voigt and the Honolulu SymphonyIn concert: 8 p.m. Friday and 4 p.m. Sunday
Place: Blaisdell Concert Hall
Tickets: $16 to $59
Call: 792-2000, or Ticketmaster at 877-750-4400
Voigt is a prima donna in the noblest sense. She's the leading female singer wherever she goes but remains humble offstage. She's not a diva with the egotism and arrogance so often associated with opera singers. I'm sure you've heard a little diva gossip about sopranos and the opera world in general. One story goes that not long ago, a soprano was being driven to rehearsal. Finding it a bit warm in her limousine, she called her manager in New York to complain. Her manager had to call the driver himself to have the air conditioning turned up.
What qualifies Voigt as a dramatic soprano? If you were to ask her, "Ms. Voigt, what is your Fach?" She would instantly reply, "But dramatic soprano, of course!"
We'd be relieved to hear that, but what is a "Fach"?
Voice parts determine how high or low one can sing. Bass, baritone and tenor are the voice parts for men; alto, mezzo-soprano and soprano, for women. In addition, each voice possesses unique tonal color and ability. The Fach system originated in German opera houses to classify different types of voice. Sopranos can be divided into lyric soprano, dramatic coloratura, dramatic soprano and more.
Mimi, the leading character from Puccini's "La Bohème," belongs to the category of lyric soprano, but Verdi's Violetta from "La Traviata" is a dramatic coloratura because of its higher technical demand. You can find an extreme case of dramatic coloratura in the part of the Queen of the Night in Mozart's "Magic Flute."
Voigt personifies the dramatic soprano. Her unparalleled vocal power, stamina and control enable her to shine in big productions and soar over large orchestras. No microphones needed here! Strauss's "Four Last Songs" and excerpts from Wagner's "Tannhäuser" will set the stage for Voigt's prowess in her concerts with the Honolulu Symphony.
In "Tannhäuser" the overture covers the three basic ideas of the work: salvation, played by the brass at the very opening; carnal sensuality, introduced by whirling violas; and piety, exemplified by the heroine Elizabeth. In her aria, Voigt will express joy at a forthcoming song festival signaling Tannhäuser's return.
The music of Strauss and, particularly, Wagner remains a source of great inspiration for musicians and vocalists. Wagner's artistic philosophy influenced not only musicians, but poets, painters and playwrights throughout the 19th century. While Wagner's music earned him the respect of his colleagues, his personality caused extreme reactions. His musical genius was fascinating to some, while his anti-Semitism, treachery and other failings -- which included a trail of bad debt across Europe -- either attracted or repulsed others. If you're a soap opera fan, a biography of Wagner might be perfect reading material.
An elixir for reconciliation, Strauss's "Four Last Songs" ranks among the most poignant music ever written. These achingly beautiful songs unify us through their serenity, and reflect on life and death through the cycles of nature. The first three songs: "Frühling" ("Spring"), "September" and "Beim Schlafengehen" ("Going to Sleep") are set to poems by Herman Hesse, who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1946.
The last song, "Im Abendrot" ("At Dusk") is set to a poem by Joseph von Eichendorff. While the first song expresses gratitude for the return of spring, the ensuing ones embody a change of mood, gradually leading toward the inevitability of the end of one's life. However, it is not the end of existence that awaits us, but a place where the soul will find "those things which could not be fulfilled here below."
Richard Strauss never heard the "Four Last Songs" performed. He died in September 1949, and the work came to symbolize his farewell.
Rarely does Hawaii have the opportunity to hear someone of Voigt's caliber show off her talent, versatility and simply magnificent voice. I encourage everyone to start the new year in musical style and spend some time with "Debbie the Diva" and the Honolulu Symphony this weekend!
Ignace "Iggy" Jang is the Honolulu Symphony's concertmaster. His column will appear on the Monday prior to each concert of the season to illuminate works to be performed. E-mail comments and questions to Jang at suggestions@honolulusymphony.com
