On Thursday, February 18, I attended the senior recital of mezzo-soprano singer Charity Barker at Oral Roberts University. Usually, I am not one to pick out concerts for vocal qualities. I tend to prefer the more instrumental performances. However, I did attend Ms. Barker’s recital and feel it was a good experience for me.
Ms. Barker has a strong vibrant voice. As vocal majors are required, Ms. Barker sang songs in Italian, German, French, and British and American English. Since I do not understand most of those languages, I followed along in the little flier in the bulletin. I was surprised at the depressive lyrics to several of the songs. The song Son tutta duolo especially was full of saddened lyrics.
The Italian piece, Orontea somehow reminded me of aristocratic gardens as one would watch out a large window pane. It seemed to flow gently. Even though I could not understand the lyrics, they held the quality which made me think of a lady missing her lad who was away.
As I listened to the music, I took notes so I could write some of the feelings I was having as I listened. I described the German music as heavier and darker than the other pieces. Of the German pieces I wrote, “Tries to be light and jovial but doesn’t quite make it.” The German pieces somehow had a heavier sound. Perhaps it was the guttural sound of the German tongue or just the style of those pieces. The American pieces by Gershwin held a light sound with a hint of frivolity.
Overall, I think I gained a better understanding of what the different language styles and at least a little more appreciation of vocal music by itself.
