RECITALS

Piano: Élider DiPaula

Soprano: Gabrielle Goudard

 

The French soprano and Brazilian pianist meet in Chicago to present two different programs:

 

Vocalises
A rich program of Russian and French music: 

 

From the French language, “Vocalise” refers to a performer’s ability to execute a melodic line with agility and virtuosity, using only vowels.

Compositions which use this form explore melody, harmony, and rhythm, allowing the singer to focus on expression.

In this program the two artists take the audience on a musical exploration full of harmonic colors, with music from Rachmaninoff, Poulenc, Ravel, Debussy, Stravinsky, Faure, and Messiaen.

Each melody is an existential reflection showcasing a full emotional range: from light to dark and from birth to death. 

Goudard’s soprano floats on top of DiPaula's sensitive and colorful playing, lending a rich interpretation to the songs. Together they have a commanding stage presence which invites the listener to immerse themself in the music. 

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This program was performed in February 2023 to a full house, as part of the season of Project 88 Concert Series in Berwyn, Illinois.

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Beyond words

This program explores spirituality, metaphysical questions, and different ways of preparing for the afterlife. Reflecting coping mechanisms for trauma, it caries the cultural influences of the two performers in a diversity of language, from Portuguese, English, French, Greek, Yiddish, and Aramaic to the universal language of music through vocalises.

Moving from personal experiences to universal questions, it explores spiritual themes until words can no longer express them.

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It includes DiPaula's cycles of songs composed between 2013 and 2020, and a premiere of the song "Wild Geese", composed in 2024.

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This Program was performed in November 2024, as part of the season of Project 88 Concert Series in Berwyn, Illinois.

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Pictures by Ivan Indrautama