Jamie Barton Heads Seattle Opera Recitals in November

Seattle Opera will present two recitals at the Opera Center in November, headlined by mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton, baritone Eleomar Cuello and mezzo-soprano Sarah Saturnino.

The first, "Gabriela Lena Frank: A Musical Portrait," takes place Nov. 13 at 7:00 p.m. The second, "Jamie Barton in Recital," follows Nov. 21 at 7:30 p.m.

The Nov. 13 program, presented in partnership with Classical KING as part of its Northwest Focus Live series, will be broadcast live on the radio.

What is on the Frank program?

The centerpiece is a new arrangement for string quartet and mezzo-soprano of the aria "El mundo" from Frank's "El último sueño de Frida y Diego." Seattle Opera stages that opera in January, making the recital an early hearing of the work.

The program also includes:

• Frank's string quartet "Leyendas: An Andean Walkabout"
• Selections from "Cuatro Canciones Andinas"
• Selections from "Songs of Cifar and the Sweet Sea"

Sarah Saturnino and Eleomar Cuello will perform with pianist Jay Rozendaal and a string quartet drawn from Seattle Symphony members.

Takeaway: one evening, one composer, three dozen musicians and singers preparing audiences for January's mainstage premiere.

What will Jamie Barton sing?

Barton appears with pianist Kathleen Kelly on Nov. 21. The program features works by Clara Schumann, Saint-Saëns, Libby Larsen, Duparc, Melissa Dunphy and others.

The mix spans the 19th century to the present. Clara Schumann and Duparc sit beside contemporary American composers Larsen and Dunphy.

Why recitals, according to the company?

General and Artistic Director James Robinson framed the programming choice directly.

"The works you see on the mainstage are just a small glimpse into the wider world of opera, so we offer recitals like these to show off the variety and breadth of expression vocal music has to offer," Robinson said.

He added: "Not only is there so much wonderful music in store on these two programs, but audiences will also get the chance to hear from some tremendous artists who have taken the opera world by storm. I'm excited for this opportunity to highlight the many ways that opera is a living, breathing artform."

Both recitals sit eight days apart at the Opera Center. Together they position Seattle Opera's fall season as a bridge between chamber-scale vocal music and the January mainstage arrival of "El último sueño de Frida y Diego."