Opera stars to sing art songs in concert
Daniel Okulitch, Keri Alkema of ‘Don Giovanni’ to perform
Between gigs as Mozart’s ultimate rogue, Daniel Okulitch will perform in a more intimate setting in a festival of art songs on Thursday, July 28.
Okulitch will sing a cycle of songs by Emmy Award-winning composer Glen Roven with soprano and colleague Keri Alkema.
Okulitch is starring in “Don Giovanni” at the Santa Fe Opera. Alkema sings the role of Donna Elvira, one of his conquests.
Roven wrote the song cycle after playing a recital in Santa Fe in 2011, Okulitch said. The composer was inspired by a book of works by Santa Fe poets. The names included N. Scott Momaday, Jimmy Santiago Baca, Christopher Buckley, Valerie Martinez, Jane Lin and Thomas Fox Averill.
“He writes beautifully for the voice,” Okulitch said, “and he chooses exceptional poetry as well. The music is melodic without being derivative.”
Roven and Performance Santa Fe’s Joe Illick will accompany the singers on piano.
Alkema is an old friend and colleague of Okulitch’s. The pair sang together at her New York City Opera debut in “Don Giovanni.”
“She’s a fantastic singer and a fantastic woman and an incredible artist,” Okulitch said.
Alkema will sing Roven’s “Six Ancient Chinese Songs.” The duo will end the concert with “Good Night Moon,” Roven’s bestknown composition. The smaller setting allows for a more subtle performance, Okulitch said.
“I think singing art songs is very healthy,” he continued. “It helps you discover and remind yourself of the nuance and color in your voice. The medium kind of draws that out of us. And you don’t have to sing above an orchestra.”