For her first appearance in Aotearoa, American soprano Julia Bullock performs an enriching programme of classic American music, highlighting the songs of composers George & Ira Gershwin, Margaret Bonds and Leonard Bernstein, and singer Joséphine Baker.
The full programme she’ll be performing with the Auckland Philharmonia and conductor Christian Reif:
- Auckland Philharmonia
Korngold: Theme and Variations - with Julia Bullock
Gershwin / arr. Riddle: ‘Somebody from Somewhere’ from Delicious
Bonds / arr. Norpoth: The Negro Speaks of Rivers
Gershwin: ‘Summertime’ from Porgy and Bess
Bonds / arr. Norpoth: Poème d’Automne
Bonds / arr. Norpoth: Winter Moon - Auckland Philharmonia
Bernstein: Candide: Overture (theatre version) - with Julia Bullock
Bernstein: ‘Somewhere’ from West Side Story
Bernstein: ‘A Julia de Burgos' from Songfest
— INTERVAL — - with Julia Bullock
Scotto / arr. Hyken: J’ai deux amours
Oréfiche / arr. Hyken: La conga blicoti - Auckland Philharmonia
Weill: Symphony No.2- I. Sostenuto — Allegro molto
II. Largo
III. Allegro vivace — Presto
- I. Sostenuto — Allegro molto
Introducing the programme for her Festival debut, she writes:
- “It’s difficult to identify an ‘American’ sound, because so many musical influences were invited into the scope of compositions written by those based in the United States. The element of showmanship seems intrinsic in the music of Bonds, Gershwin and Bernstein, in part because they were all extraordinary performers, but when it comes to the “classics” of American music — those tunes that we are called to return to again and again — many of us think of song literature. Or maybe I am biased, because I’m a singer, but I believe songs are where Bonds, Gershwin and Bernstein delivered some of their most experimental music, which also happened to resonate with audiences around the world. They each were interested in memorialising poetry, and lyrics. And the undeniable power of the texts they chose to set to music often had a purpose beyond writing a ‘hit tune’.”
Read more about Julia’s reflections on these works in her own words, alongside lyrics, poetry and translations, in the show programme 👇 for her upcoming performance on Saturday 7 March at Auckland Town Hall. Tickets are still available.
