BRAVO! Series Celebrates the Life of Robert and Clara Schumann
September 1, 2006
The BRAVO! series will present a concert celebrating the life of Robert and Clara Schumann on September 16, 2006 at 8:00 p.m. in the Citizens Bank Theatre, Downtown Theatre Center on the corner of Allen Street and Beaver Avenue. Liebe und Leben: A Drama with Music is a music drama on the lives and music of Robert and Clara Schumann and is a story of great human courage, of lives filled with tremendous joy and great tragedy. Performers Jane Cox, professor and stage director for Iowa State University Theatre, mezzo-soprano Mary Creswell, assistant professor of music, applied voice and director of the Iowa State University Opera Studio, and pianist Sue Haug, director of the Penn State School of Music and former head of the department of music at Iowa State University, dressed in period costumes, present the lives, songs and solo piano music of Robert and Clara Schumann.
The script is based on Clara's and Robert's diaries and letters with their music performed intermittently in such a way as to heighten the emotional intensity of the drama. The presentation follows Clara throughout her creative life, a career that lasted over 60 years, as she reflects on the sometimes conflicting roles of child prodigy, composer, wife, mother, daughter, concert artist, editor and colleague of other great artists.
The use of drama in combination with music is a powerful medium as audiences become emotionally involved in the music and the story, while learning about the period, the composers, the music, and the role of artists in society. This is a collaborative, interdisciplinary project on lives that were full of drama and heroism. The original production focused on Clara Schumann, but for presentations in 2006 in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of Robert's death, the artists have included more songs and piano pieces by Robert Schumann.
Music or excerpts of Robert Schumann to be performed include: Papillon, Op. 2, Carnaval, Op. 9 ("Eusebius"), Romance, Op. 28, No. 2, Vogel al Prophet, Op. 82, No. 7, Piano Concerto, Op. 54, Toccata, Op. 7, Songs from Frauenliebe und Leben, Op. 42 and Romance, Op. 28, No. 2.
Music or excerpts of Clara Schumann to be performed include: Scherzo, Op. 14, Impromptu, Scherzo, Op. 15, No. 4 and various selected songs.
"Liebe und Leben" is generously supported by the Penn State Institute for the Arts and Humanities. It will be free and open to the public.
We're making an effort to start our concerts on time. For ticketed events especially in Eisenhower Auditorium, please plan to arrive early to purchase your ticket. Tickets for the BRAVO! Series may be purchased at the Eisenhower Box Office or Downtown Theatre Box Office. Tickets for all our Eisenhower concerts are available by calling 814-863-0255 or 1-800-ARTS-TIX, Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or visit the web at www.cpa.psu.edu.
For a complete listing of all concerts and recitals, please visit http://www.events.psu.edu and choose music performance events.
Contact: Candace Bishop cjb289@psu.edu, 865-0431