LAGUNA BEACH MUSIC FESTIVAL

In 2018, Nicholas Phan was the first singer to be invited to serve as guest artistic director of the Laguna Beach Music Festival, co-presented annually by the Philharmonic Society of Orange County and Laguna Beach Live. The week-long festival served a survey of the wide breadth of the power of song, spanning multiple genres from German Lieder to pop standards of today.

PREVIEW CONCERT: THE SALON

Nicholas Phan, tenor

Myra Huang, piano

PROGRAM

An introductory program for the week that showcases some highlights from the week, as well as serves as an introduction to the week’s programming, highlighting the intimate nature of the song repertoire, recreating the ‘natural environment’ for which art songs were originally written.

R. HAHN: selected songs

C. DEBUSSY: Ariettes Oubliées

VARIOUS: American Songbook / Broadway selections

CONCERT I: CLARA, ROBERT and JOHANNES

Joélle Harvey, soprano

Kelley O’Connor, mezzo-soprano

Nicholas Phan, tenor

Edward Nelson, baritone

Myra Huang, piano

Shannon McGinnis, piano

PROGRAM

A program that explores the tangled history of the complex relationship between Robert Schumann, Clara (Wieck) Schumann & Johannes Brahms and some of the songs that were inspired by their relationships with each other.

J. S. BACH: Prelude and Fugue in G Major BWV 884

C. & R. SCHUMANN: selections from Myrthen Op. 25 & Gedichte aus “Liebesfrühling” Op. 37

R. SCHUMANN: Minnespiel Op. 101

- INTERMISSION -

R. SCHUMANN: Bei Schenkung eines Flügels, WoO 26, No. 4

BRAHMS: Liebeslieder Walzer Op. 52

CONCERT II: DIARIES - THE ART OF THE CONFESSIONAL

Kelley O’Connor, mezzo-soprano

Nicholas Phan, tenor

Adrianne Pope, violin

Nicholaus Yee, viola

Myra Huang, piano

Shannon McGinnis, piano

Orange County Women’s Chorus

PROGRAM

The art of song is perhaps one of the most vulnerable and confessional mediums in classical music. It involves a direct line of communication between the singer and the audience, and it’s successful performance relies on the artist’s ability to be emotionally transparent.

This performance featured both the world premiere of Missy Mazzoli’s ‘Songs from the Operas’ as well as video designs for the Janacek cycle by Hana S. Kim.

BRAHMS: Zwei Gesänge Op. 91

MAZZOLI: Songs from the Operas - WORLD PREMIERE

- INTERMISSION -

JANÁCEK: The Diary of One Who Disappeared

CONCERT III: AMERICAN SABBATH

Alyson Cambridge, soprano

Raena White, singer

Nicholas Phan, tenor

Myra Huang, piano

Shannon McGinnis, piano

Doug Peck, piano

PROGRAM

1st half: ‘American Spirit’ - A program that explores the American art song tradition through songs of faith and praise.

2nd half: ‘There’s Something About Mary’ - A program that explores the life and influence of the Virgin Mary told through songs spanning all genres: German Lieder, Spirituals, Rock, R & B, Broadway, among others.

BERNSTEIN: Simple Song from Mass

BARBER: Hermit Songs (sel.)

COPLAND: Old American Songs (sel.)

J. CARTER: Cantata

- INTERMISSION -

THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY

INTRO

SPIRITUAL: Who Was Mary? Mary Was Queen of Galilee

LOWRY / GREENE: Mary, Did You Know

MARY’S LIFE

FRENCH CAROL: Gabriel’s Message

EATON / GRANT: Breath of Heaven

H. WOLF: Nun wandre, Maria from Spanisches Liederbuch

BRYAN / STOCK: A Cradle in Bethlehem

H. PURCELL: The Blessed Virgin’s Expostulation

SPRITUAL: Weepin’ Mary

SONGS OF PRAISE

SCHUBERT: Ave Maria

J. R. BROWN: Christmas Lullaby from ‘Songs for a New World’

McCARTNEY / LENNON: Let it Be

BACH / GOUNOD: Ave Maria

HEART / GRIFFIN: Mary