“Come Now a Roundel” by Benjamin Britten from A Midsummer Night's Dream
Erin Anderson, soprano
Brendon Shapiro, piano

“Après un rêve” by Gabriel Fauré
Kathryn McKellar, soprano
Rachel Barringer, contortion
Brendon Shapiro, piano

“Serenade” by Sigmund Romberg from The Student Prince
Omar Najmi, tenor
Brendon Shapiro, piano

“Sul fil d'un soffio etesio” by Giuseppe Verdi from Falstaff
Erin Anderson, soprano
Morgan Oldham, chair balancing
Brendon Shapiro, piano

“Youkali” by Kurt Weill
Kathryn McKellar, soprano
Julian Gau, cello
Brendon Shapiro, piano

“Torna ai felici dì” by Giacomo Puccini from Le Villi
Omar Najmi, tenor
Alex Jackson and Anna Soltys-Morse, hand-to-hand
Julian Gau, cello
Brendon Shapiro, piano

“Oh, Happy We” by Leonard Bernstein from Candide
Omar Najmi, tenor
Erin Anderson, soprano
Brendon Shapiro, piano

Come Now a Roundel (sung in english)
By Benjamin Britten from A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Titania, the fairy queen, asks her fairies to sing her to sleep and protect her in the forest. This magical song celebrates the beauty and mystery of the fairy world.

Après un rêve (sung in french)
By Gabriel Fauré

The singer longs to return to a beautiful dream filled with love, light, and happiness, wishing to escape back to that moment of perfect joy.

Serenade (sung in english)
By Sigmund Romberg from The Student Prince

Prince Karl Franz serenades his beloved Kathie from outside her window, expressing his deep love and longing for her.

Sul fil d’un soffio etesio (sung in italian)
By Giuseppe Verdi from Falstaff

Nannetta, disguised as the Queen of the Fairies, sings a delicate, magical song in the forest. She summons her fairy followers as part of a playful plan to trick Falstaff.

Youkali (sung in french)
By Kurt Weill

The singer describes Youkali, an imaginary island at the edge of the world where only happiness, love, and beauty exist. Welcomed by the fairy who lives there, the singer discovers a magical refuge that lives only in the imagination.

Torna ai felici dì (sung in italian)
By Giacomo Puccini from Le Villi

Roberto returns to the dark forest, haunted by memories of lost love and happier days. Surrounded by spirits and the magic of the woods, he longs for forgiveness and redemption.

Oh, Happy We (sung in english)
Leonard Bernstein from Candide

Candide and Cunégonde imagine a joyful future together, dreaming of love and happiness. Their playful duet reveals their very different ideas of an ideal life.