by Daniel Hathaway
Bright is the ring of words
When the right man rings them,
Fair the fall of songs
When the singer sings them,
Still they are carolled and said—
On wings they are carried—
After the singer is dead
And the maker buried.
– R.L. Stevenson.

One time-honored classical music tradition — the solo voice recital — has nearly disappeared from Northeast Ohio’s concert calendar ever since the Cleveland Art Song Festival ceased operations.

Happily, that intimate art form that weaves words and music into new lyrical creations will be revived on Tuesday, February 3 at 7:30 at Disciples Church in Cleveland Heights, when the Cleveland Chamber Music Society presents Hawaiian-born baritone Quinn Kelsey and pianist Craig Ketter in recital.

Best known for his dramatic interpretation of operatic roles, Kelsey has become a go-to Verdi baritone over his decade at the Metropolitan Opera, winning high critical marks for his performances there as well as in major houses throughout the world.

But on Tuesday, rather than plumbing the depths of an opera character, Kelsey will treat the audience at Disciples to groups of English language songs set or arranged by three well-known composers with unique musical voices — plus settings of the poetry of Harlem Renaissance poet Langston Hughes by three not-so-well-known songsmiths. [Read on…]