Laura Claycomb in Dallas Recital

Miss Laura Claycomb will give a recital of extraordinary rare works under the auspices of the Dallas Opera which are imminently suitable to her vocal instrument. An artist can only approach such fiendishly difficult work only of their technique is in excellent order, given how this type of music seriously exposes such things. The attending Dallas audience can expect personal favorites selected for the occasion by Miss Claycomb, and will include Francis Poulenc’s 1939 song cycle “Fiançailles pour rire” with poetry by Louise de Vilmorin. Poulenc praised Vilmorin for her “sensitive impertinence, libertinage, and appetite”. Also on the program will be Richard Strauss’s “Brentano Lieder, Op. 68”, a vocal showcase with texts by poet Clemens Brentano (1778-1842).  Strauss composed this song cycle in 1918 for soprano Elisabeth Schumann’s 1921 American tour. Olivier Messiaen’s “Chant de terre et de ciel” (“Songs of Earth and Sky”) of 1938 will also be included in this intimate afternoon recital. Messiaen wrote this joyful—at times, ecstatic— song cycle as an expression of his profound love for his wife and infant son.