A Woman’s Life & Love: From the Diary of Virginia Woolf

The Helena Collective presents a concert of two song cycles: Schumann’s “Frauenliebe und Leben” performed by soprano Samantha Barnes Daniel and Dominick Argento’s “From the Diary of Virginia Woolf” performed by mezzo soprano Sarah Purser.

Schumann’s beloved song cycle contains eight movements which describe the course of a woman’s love for her partner, from first meeting through marriage and ultimately to his death.

From the Diary of Virginia Woolf is an eight-part song cycle written by Dominick Argento in 1974 for mezzo-soprano and piano. The work won the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 1975. The text of the songs comes from A Writer’s Diary: Being Extracts from the Diary of Virginia Woolf, which was published in 1954.

Pianist Rosalind Hencinski will accompany both cycles.

Featuring a special performance of Schumann’s “Frauenliebe und Leben,” by Samantha Barnes Daniel

From the Diary of Virginia Woolf is an eight-part song cycle written by Dominick Argento in 1974 for mezzo-soprano and piano. The work won the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 1975. The text of the songs comes from A Writer’s Diary: Being Extracts from the Diary of Virginia Woolf, which was published in 1954.

Program:

“From the Diary of Virginia Woolf” by Dominick Argento
Sung by Sarah Purser

“Frauenliebe und Leben” by Robert Schumann
Sung by Samantha Barnes Daniel

Sarah Purser Bio:

Sarah Purser, mezzo soprano, is a Central Florida based singer, songwriter, voice teacher, and educator. She earned her master of arts in music and bachelor of music education degrees from the University of Central Florida. Ms. Purser is the education director for Opera Orlando as well as the business manager for Orlando Sings.

Sarah has been a featured soloist with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, and frequently performs recitals and concerts throughout Central Florida. Recent performances include a number with Opera Orlando; Marcellina in ‘Marriage of Figaro’; Jane Seymore in Opera Orlando’s original production of ‘6/VIII’; ‘The Six Wives of Henry the VIII’, ‘Hansel in Hansel and Gretel’, The Dom in ‘Safe Word’, and Tisbe in ‘Cenerentola’. She has also performed several roles with UCF opera, the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, Orlando Light Opera, and Musiktheater Bavaria including Olga in the ‘Merry Widow’, Meg Page in ‘The Merry Wives of Windsor’, Terentia in ‘Captain Lovelock’, Maddalena in ‘Rigoletto’, Prince Orlofsky in ‘Die Fledermaus’, and Stefano in ‘Romeo et Juliette’.

Ms. Purser is a founding member of the professional women’s vocal ensemble, The Helena Collective whose 2019 collaboration with Opera Orlando on their original production “6/VIII: The Six Wives of Henry VII’’ received accolades and won critic’s choice award at the Orlando Fringe Festival. Sarah also enjoys singing with the Basilica Choir at the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe, The Solaria Singers, and performing with her original music project, ‘The Sarah Purser Band’.

Discounted tickets are available for members, students, teachers, frontline workers, veterans, and seniors.

Please bring a bottle of wine or non-alcoholic beverage to share.