Now You’re Speaking My (Love) Language:
Local Women-Led Music Organizations Present a New Take on Classic Repertoire
Flipside Opera & Art Song Collective and the Women’s Musical Club of Winnipeg collaborate on innovative, multidisciplinary performance of Hugo Wolf’s Italienisches Liederbuch in “Love Languages”
Winnipeg, Manitoba, November 26 — On Saturday, January 11, 2025, Flipside Opera & Art Song Collective and the Women’s Musical Club of Winnipeg bring together four exceptional artists in a multidisciplinary concert featuring one “bingeworthy” piece of the art song (voice and piano) repertoire: Hugo Wolf’s Italienisches Liederbuch. Rarely performed in its entirety, this lively set of 46 Italian texts performed in German covers all the bases of romantic love in just 80 minutes, from rapture to disgust, longing to fury, heartbreak to adoration.
This special opportunity to hear renowned operatic artists in the intimate setting of voice and piano features Winnipeg’s own beloved coloratura soprano Tracy Dahl, sought-after Korean-Canadian baritone Clarence Frazer (just prior to his appearance in Manitoba Opera’s La Bohème this spring), and local powerhouse collaborative pianist Lisa Rumpel.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so Flipside & WMC have commissioned Winnipeg-based illustrator Ana Toumine to create a visual interpretation of each song using anthropomorphic Italian and German foods, in a nod to the poetry’s original and translated languages. This bold and whimsical take on program notes will enhance the meaning, universality, and lightheartedness of this concert. As both an accomplished classical soprano and illustrator, Ana was uniquely positioned to take on the task of creating this visual “Liederbuch,” limited hard copies of which will be available for sale during the concert.
Ana writes, “When Lisa approached me about this project, I was very excited to be a part of it. Food is such a universal component of life, something that can bring people together or tear them apart; to share stories, memories, and culture. I hope that audience members will recognize some of themselves in these characters, whether through a traditional food memory of Schnitzel or a Lasagna, or the interpretive emotions of the text and music. The coming together of all these disciplines adds an additional element of fun to the evening that will leave audiences hungry for more!”
This dynamic multidisciplinary exploration of the languages of love invites the audience to interpret these songs through singing, acting, music, visual art, and poetry. The unique combination of these two exceptional singing actors and the projected illustrations, accompanied by Wolf’s strikingly emotional and integral piano accompaniment, will carry the audience effortlessly on this emotional journey of the vagaries of love.
The concert comes during the same week as the University of Manitoba Desautels Faculty of Music’s long-established Zita Bernstein Competition for German Lieder, creating the opportunity for students and lovers of German art song to be immersed in this emotional and narrative art form. The newly opened Desautels Concert Hall plays host to Love Languages, providing world-class acoustics and state-of-the-art design.
Those acquainted with Flipside and the WMC will look forward to the inviting atmosphere, emphasis on accessibility, and the combination of established and emerging artists for which these organizations are known. Flipside’s Artistic Director, Judith Oatway, says, “We are thrilled to present Love Languages, a unique multidisciplinary show boasting a stellar cast and creative team. Flipside is no stranger to partnerships, and we are particularly honoured to work with the Women’s Musical Club, especially with their long and illustrious history in Manitoba.” On behalf of WMC, Publicity Chair Millie Hildebrand adds their appreciation for this opportunity to co-present this unique event that reflects WMC’s maxim “… where tradition embraces the future”.
- LOVE LANGUAGES: SONGS & PICTURES ON WOLF’S ITALIENISCHES LIEDERBUCH
- SATURDAY, JANUARY 11, 2025
- 7:30 PM
- DESAUTELS CONCERT HALL | UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA
- Tickets available at flipsideopera.com and wmcwpg.ca
- $40 regular admission | $20 under age 30 | $5 under age 12 | Students with card $10 at the door
- Wheelchair accessible venue
About the Producers
Flipside Opera & Art Song Collective and the Women’s Musical Club of Winnipeg are women-founded, volunteer-run arts organizations in Winnipeg that prioritize producing exceptional performances by Manitoban artists, creating scholarship & mentorship opportunities for emerging artists, and enhancing access to classical music for all.
