Recital: Jonathan Lawlor '21 BM, Baritone
NEC's students meet one-on-one each week with a faculty artist to perfect their craft. As each one leaves NEC to make their mark in the performance world, they present a full, professional recital that is free and open to the public. It's your first look at the artists of tomorrow.
Jonathan Lawlor '21 BM studies Voice with Michael Meraw.
- Jonathan Lawlor '21 BM, baritone
- Brett Hodgdon, piano
- Michael Meraw, studio instructor
J. S. Bach | Amore Traditore, BWV 203
Aria: Amore traditore
Recitativo: Voglio provar
Aria: Chi in amoreAria
Amore traditore
Tu non m’inganni più
Non voglio più catene,
Non voglio affanni, pene,
Cordoglio e servitù.
Recitativo
Voglio provar,
Se posso sanar
L’anima mia dalla paiga fatale,
E viver si può senza il tuo strale;
Non sia più la speranza
Lusinga del dolore,
E la goija nel mio core,
Più tuo scherzo sarà nell amia constanza.
Aria
Chi in amore ha nemica la sorte,
È follia, se non lascia d’amar.
Sprezzi l’alma le crude ritorte
Se non trova mercede al penar.
AnonymousAria
Traitorous love,
You will deceive me no more
I desire chains no more,
I don’t want suffering, pains,
Heartache or servitude.
Recitative
I want to try and see
If I can heal
My soul of this fatal wound,
And if it can live without your arrow;
Then no more will hope
Dazzle with sorrow
And joy my heart,
Your games will have no place within my constancy.
Aria
Whoever has fate as his enemy in love,
Is a fool if he does not give up loving.
May the soul fracture its cruel bonds
If it cannot find mercy for its suffering.
Translation copyright © by Pamela Dellal from Emmanuel Music Bach Cantata Translations - - www.emmanuelmusic.orgLudwig van Beethoven | An die ferne Geliebte, op. 98
Auf dem Hügel sitz ich spähend
Wo die Berge so blau
Leichte Segler in den Höhen
Diese Wolken in den Höhen
Es kehret der Maien, es blühet die Au
Nimm sie hin den, diese LiederAn die ferne Geliebte
Auf dem Hügel sitz ich spähend
Auf dem Hügel sitz ich, spähend
In das blaue Nebelland,
Nach den fernen Triften sehend,
Wo ich dich, Geliebte, fand.
Weit bin ich von dir geschieden,
Trennend liegen Berg und Tal
Zwischen uns und unserm Frieden,
Unserm Glück und unsrer Qual
Ach, den Blick kannst du nicht sehen,
Der zu dir so glühend eilt,
Und die Seufzer, sie verwehen
In dem Raume, der uns teilt.
Will denn nichts mehr zu dir dringen,
Nichts der Liebe Bote sein?
Singen will ich, Lieder singen,
Die dir klagen meine Pein!
Denn vor Liedesklang entweichet
Jeder Raum und jede Zeit,
Und ein liebend Herz erreichet,Z
Was ein liebend Herz geweiht!To the distant beloved
On the hill I sit looking out
On the hill I sit looking out
Into the blue mist
Toward the far meadows seeing
Where I, beloved, found you.
So far from you am I separated,
The distance of mountain and valley
Divide us and our peace,
Our happiness and our sorrow.
Ah, the look you cannot see
That to you so glowing rushes,
And the sighs, they are blown away
Into the space that separates us
Shall nothing evermore reach you,
Is there no messenger of love?
I shall sing, sing songs
That to you lament my pain!
Then before love’s song vanishes
Every space and every time,
And a loving heart can reach
The loving heart to which it is devoted!Wo die Berge so blau
Wo die Berge so blau
Aus dem nebligen Grau
Schauen herein,
Wo die Sonne verglüht,
Wo die Wolke umzieht,
Möchte ich sein!
Dort im ruhigen Tal
Schweigen Schmerzen und Qual.
Wo im Gestein
Still die Primel dort sinnt,
Weht so leise der Wind,
Möchte ich sein!
Hin zum sinnigen Wald
Drängt mich Liebesgewalt,
Innere Pein.
Ach, mich zög's nicht von hier,
Könnt ich, Traute, bei dir
Ewiglich sein!Where the Mountains so blue
Where the mountains so blue
From the foggy gray
Peek out,
Where the sun’s glow fades,
Where the clouds flout by,
I would like to be there!
There in the peaceful valley
Silenced are pain and anguish
Where in the rock
Quietly the primrose meditates there,
Blows so softly the wind,
I would like to be there!
Back to the thoughtful wood
Driven by the power of love,
Inner pain.
Ah, I would not be drawn from here
If I could, dear, be with you
Eternally!Leichte Segler in den Höhen
Leichte Segler in den Höhen,
Und du, Bächlein klein und schmal,
Könnt mein Liebchen ihr erspähen,
Grüßt sie mir viel tausendmal.
Seht ihr, Wolken, sie dann gehen
Sinnend in dem stillen Tal,
Laßt mein Bild vor ihr entstehen
In dem luft'gen Himmelssaal.
Wird sie an den Büschen stehen,
Die nun herbstlich falb und kahl.
Klagt ihr, wie mir ist geschehen,
Klagt ihr, Vöglein, meine Qual.
Stille Weste, bringt im Wehen
Hin zu meiner Herzenswahl
Meine Seufzer, die vergehen
Wie der Sonne letzter Strahl.
Flüstr' ihr zu mein Liebesflehen,
Laß sie, Bächlein klein und schmal,
Treu in deinen Wogen sehen
Meine Tränen ohne Zahl!Lightly sailing on high
Lightly sailing on high,
And you, little brook, small and narrow,
Should you spy my sweetheart,
Greet her for me many thousand times.
Then clouds, if you see her
Meditating in the quiet valley,
Let my image rise before her
In the airy celestial realm.
If she is standing by the bushes
That now autumn makes yellow and bare,
Cry out to her what has afflicted me,
Cry out to her, little birds, my torment.
Quiet west, bring in the breeze
To my chosen love
My sighs which fade
Like the sun’s last ray.
Whisper to her my loving plea,
Let her, little brook small and narrow,
Truly in your waves see
My tears without number.Diese Wolken in den Höhen
Diese Wolken in den Höhen,
Dieser Vöglein muntrer Zug,
Werden dich, o Huldin, sehen.
Nehmt mich mit im leichten Flug!
Diese Weste werden spielen
Scherzend dir um Wang' und Brust,
In den seidnen Locken wühlen.
Teilt ich mit euch diese Lust!
Hin zu dir von jenen Hügeln
Emsig dieses Bächlein eilt.
Wird ihr Bild sich in dir spiegeln,
Fließ zurück dann unverweilt!These clouds in the sky
These clouds in the sky,
This lively flock of birds
Will see you, O fairest
Take me along in airy flight
These west winds will play
Jestingly around your cheeks and breast
Will ruffle your silken locks.
Could I share with them this pleasure!
Toward you from those hills
Briskly this little brook hurries.
Should her image be reflected in you,
Then flow back without delay!Es kehret der Maien, es blühet die Au
Es kehret der Maien, es blühet die Au,
Die Lüfte, sie wehen so milde, so lau,
Geschwätzig die Bäche nun rinnen.
Die Schwalbe, die kehret zum wirtlichen Dach,
Sie baut sich so emsig ihr bräutlich Gemach,
Die Liebe soll wohnen da drinnen.
Sie bringt sich geschäftig von kreuz und von quer
Manch weicheres Stück zu dem Brautbett hieher,
Manch wärmendes Stück für die Kleinen.
Nun wohnen die Gatten beisammen so treu,
Was Winter geschieden, verband nun der Mai,
Was liebet, das weiß er zu einen.
Es kehret der Maien, es blühet die Au.
Die Lüfte, sie wehen so milde, so lau.
Nur ich kann nicht ziehen von hinnen.
Wenn alles, was liebet, der Frühling vereint,
Nur unserer Liebe kein Frühling erscheint,
Und Tränen sind all ihr Gewinnen.May returns, the meadow blooms
May returns, the meadow blooms.
The breezes blow so softly, so mild.
Babbling, the brooks now flow.
The swallow returns to the hospitable roof,
She builds so eagerly her bridal chamber,
For love shall dwell within.
She brings so busily from here and from there
Many soft pieces for the bridal bed,
Many warm bits for the little ones.
Now dwells the pair together so faithfully.
What winter has separated, May as joined,
All who love, it knows how to unite.
May returns, the meadow blooms.
The breezes blow so softly, so mild.
But I cannot journey from here.
For all who love, the spring unites,
But for our love, no spring appears,
And tears are its only reward.Nimm sie hin denn, diese Lieder
Nimm sie hin denn, diese Lieder,
Die ich dir, Geliebte, sang,
Singe sie dann abends wieder
Zu der Laute süßem Klang.
Wenn das Dämmrungsrot dann ziehet
Nach dem stillen blauen See,
Und sein letzter Strahl verglühet
Hinter jener Bergeshöh;
Und du singst, was ich gesungen,
Was mir aus der vollen Brust
ohne Kunstgepräng erklungen,
Nur der Sehnsucht sich bewußt:
Dann vor diesen Liedern weichet
Was geschieden uns so weit,
Und ein liebend Herz erreichet
Was ein liebend Herz geweiht.
Alois Jeitteles (1794–1858)Now take them then, these songs
Now take them then, these songs,
That I for you, my beloved, sang
Sing them again in the evening
To the lute’s sweet sound.
When the sunset’s glow then draws back
Toward the calm blue lake,
And its last ray dies
Behind every mountaintop;
And you sing what I sing,
That I from a full heart
Without craft have sounded,
Only aware of my longing:
Then before these songs yields,
What divides us so far,
One loving heart can reach
The loving heart to which it is devoted.
Translation copyright © by Jonathan Retzlaff from Exploring Art SongAnton Webern | Dies ist ein Lied für dich allein (from Funf Lieder aud "Der siebente Ring", op. 3)
Dies ist ein Lied für dich allein
Dies ist ein Lied
Für dich allein:
Von kindischem Wähnen
Von frommen Tränen...
Durch Morgengärten klingt es
Ein leichtbeschwingtes.
Nur dir allein
Möcht es ein Lied
Das rühre sein.
Stefan George (1868-1933)This is a song for you alone
This is a song
for you alone:
of childish beliefs,
of pious tears...
through morning gardens it floats
on light wings.
Only for you
would it like to be a song
that moves the soul.
Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust from the LiederNet Archive -- https://www.lieder.net/INTERMISSION: Alphonse Allais | Funeral March for the Obsequies of a Great Deaf Man
Charles Ives | 4 Songs from 114 Songs
The Children's Hour
Two Little Flowers (and dedicated to them)
To Edith
Cradle Song
The Children’s Hour
Between the dark and the daylight,
When the night is beginning to lower,
Comes a pause in the days occupations,
That is known as Children’s Hour.
I hear in the chamber above me
the patter of little feet
The sound of a door that is opened
and voices soft and sweet.
From my study I see in the lamplight
Descending the broad hall stair,
Grave Alice and laughing Allegra
and Edith with golden hair.Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882)
Two Little Flowers (and dedicated to them)On sunny days in our backyard,
two little flowers are seen,
One dressed, at times, in brightest pink
and one in green.
The marigold is radiant,
the rose passing fair;
The violet is ever dear,
the orchid, ever rare;
There’s lovliness in wild flow’rs
of field or wide savannah,
But fairest, rarest of them all
are Edith and Susanna.Charles Ives & Harmony Twitchell Ives (1876 – 1979)
To EdithSo like a flower,
thy little four year face in its pure freshness
That to my bedside comes each morn
in happy guise – I must be smiling too.
O, little flower-like face that comes to me,
each morn for kisses –
Bend thou near me while I inhale its fragrance sweet
and put a blessing there.
Charles Ives
Cradle Song
Hush thee, dear child to slumbers;
We will sing softest numbers;
Nought thy sleeping encumbers.Summer is slowly dying;
Autumnal winds are sighing;
Faded leaflets are flying.Brightly the willows quiver;
Peacefully flows the river;
So shall love flow forever.Augusta L. Ives
Francis Poulenc | Chansons Gaillardes, FP 42
La maîtresse volage
Chanson à boire
Madrigal
Invocation aux Parques
Couplets bachiques
L’Offrande
La Belle Jeunesse
Sérénade
Chansons Gaillardes
La maîtresse volage
Ma maîtresse est volage,
Mon rival est heureux;
S'il a son pucellage,
C'est qu'elle en avait deux.
Et vogue la galère,
Tant qu'elle pourra voguer.Ribald Songs
The Unfaithful Mistress
My mistress is unfaithful,
My rival is happy:
If he took her virginity,
It's because she had two.
So sails the ship
As long as it can sail.Chanson à boire
Les rois d'Egypte et de Syrie,
Voulaient qu'on embaumât leurs corps,
Pour durer plus longtemps morts.
Quelle folie!
Buvons donc selon notre envie,
Il faut boire et reboire encore.
Buvons donc toute notre vie,
Embaumons-nous avant la mort.
Embaumons-nous;
Que ce baume est doux.Drinking Song
The kings of Egypt and Syria
Wanted their bodies to be embalmed
Wishing to last longer, dead.
What a mess!
Let us drink according to our desire,
We should drink over and over again.
Let us drink during our lifetime
Embalm ourselves before death
Let us embalm ourselves;
Because that balm is sweet!Madrigal
Vous êtes belle come un ange,
Douce comme un petit mouton;
Il n'est point de coeur, Jeanneton,
Qui sous votre loi ne se range.
Mais une fille sans têtons
Est une perdrix sans orange.Madrigal
You are as beautiful as an angel,
Sweet as a little lamb;
There is no man, Jeanette,
Who doesn't follow your rule.
But a girl without breasts
Is a partridge without orange.Invocation aux Parques
Je jure, tant que je vivrai,
De vous aimer, Sylvie.
Parques, qui dans vos mains tenez
Le fil de notre vie,
Allongez, tant que vous pourrez,
Le mien, je vous en prie.Invocation of the Fates
I swear, as long as I live,
To love you, O Sylvie;
Fates, who in your hands holds
The thread of our Life,
Elongate mine, as long as you can,
I beg you.Couplets bachiques
Je suis tant que dure le jour
Et grave et badin tour à tour.
Quand je vois un flacon sans vin,
Je suis grave, je suis grave,
Est-il tout plein, je suis badin.
Je suis tant que dure le jour
Et grave et badin tour à tour.
Quand ma femme dort au lit,
Je suis sage toute la nuit.
Si catin au lit me tient
Alors je suis badin
Ah! belle hôtesse, versez-moi du vin
Je suis badin, badin, badin.Bacchic Couplets
Throughout the day, I am
Serious and playful.
When I see an empty bottle
I am serious, O I am serious;
Is it full, I am playful.
Throughout the day,
Serious and playful.
When my wife takes me to bed,
I behave all night long.
If a prostitute comes into my bed,
Then I am playful.
Ah! Beautiful hostess, pour me some wine,
I am playful, playful, playful.L’Offrande
Au dieu d'Amour une pucelle
Offrit un jour une chandelle,
Pour en obtenir un amant.
Le dieu sourit de sa demande
Et lui dit: Belle en attendant
Servez-vous toujours de l'offrande.The Offering
To the god of Love, a virgin
One day offered a candle
Hoping to obtain a lover.
The god heard the request,
And replied, "Beauty, while waiting,
Make good use of this offering."La belle jeunesse
Il faut s'aimer toujours
Et ne s'épouser guère.
Il faut faire l'amour
Sans curé ni notaire.
Cessez, messieurs, d'être épouseurs,
Ne visez qu'aux tirelires,
Ne visez qu'aux tourelours,
Cessez, messieurs, d'être épouseurs,
Ne visez qu'aux coeurs
Cessez, messieurs, d'être épouseurs,
Holà messieurs, ne visez plus qu'aux coeurs.
Pourquoi se marier,
Quand la femme des autres
Ne se font pas prier
Pour devenir les nôtres.
Quand leurs ardeurs,
Quand leurs faveurs,
Cherchent nos tirelires,
Cherchent nos tourelours,
Cherchent nos coeurs.The Pretty Young Woman
We only need to love each other
and never marry.
We must make love
without priest or notary.
Stop, sirs, don't marry!
Aim only for the cash;
Aim only for the pleasure.
Stop, sirs, don't marry,
Aim only for the hearts.
Stop, sirs, don't marry,
Wait sirs, aim only for the hearts.
Why should we marry,
If we don't need to beg
The wives of other man
To become ours.
When their passions,
When their favors,
Look for our money,
Look for our pleasures,
Look for our hearts.Sérénade
Avec une si belle main,
Que servent tant de charmes,
Que vous tenez du dieu malin,
Bien manier les armes.
Et quand cet Enfant est chagrin
Bien essuyer ses larmes.
Anonymous 17th centurySerenade
With a hand so beautiful,
That offers so many charms,
That you received from the malicious god,
You must handle a weapon well.
And when that child is sad
Wipe all of its tears.
Translation copyright © by Simon Chalifoux from the LiederNet Archive -- https://www.lieder.net/Thank you to Brett Hodgdon and Chelsea Whitacre for performing and preparing this recital with me.
Thank you to my friends and family for supporting me through my time at NEC.
Thank you to Michael Meraw for guiding me into being the artist I am today.