Soprano Karen Wilkerson and Gustavus piano professor Esther Wang join efforts to present a guest and faculty recital on Sunday, February 27 at 3:30 p.m. in the college’s Bjorling Recital Hall.
Wilkerson is an active professional vocalist in the Twin Cities area and throughout the United States where she has performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, as well as the St. Paul Chamber and Minnesota Orchestras. She is director of adult choirs and handbells at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Roseville and is on the faculties of Northwestern College and Luther Seminary. She is a long-time member of the faculty of the Lutheran Summer Music Program.
Wang, an active soloist and collaborator, is in her first year as assistant professor of music at Gustavus. She has appeared on numerous concert series, including the Dame Myra Hess Concerts in Chicago and the Mozart Fest in Austin, Texas. As a chamber musician, she has collaborated with members of the New York Philharmonic, the Minnesota Orchestra, the LaSalle String Quartet and the Cincinnati Symphony.
The duo opens the recital with five work written or arranged by Aaron Copland, including AT THE RIVER, three works from TWELVE POEMS OF EMILY DICKINSON, and concludes with I BOUGHT ME A CAT. The first half of the recital ends with Mozart’s COME SCOGLIO from the opera COSI FAN TUTTE.
The recital continues with works by Clara and Robert Schumann, including ROMANCE, WALDESGESPRACHT, and WIDMUNG, among others. Wilkerson and Wang conclude the recital with two works by Gene Scheer, HOLDING EACH OTHER from SONGS OF WORLD WAR II, and LEAN AWAY.
A reception follows in the recital hall lobby. The performance is free and open to the public which is cordially invited to attend.