Various Composers - Horizons. French Mélodies (Kitty Whately; Edwige Herchenroder)

Information

• Lili Boulanger - Reflets
• Lili Boulanger - Attente
• Marguerite Canal - La Flûte de jade
• Claude Debussy - Trois Chansons de Bilitis
• Armande de Polignac - Songs from La Flûte de jade
• Henri Duparc - Au pays où se fait la guerre
• Henri Duparc - La Vie antérieure
• Rita Strohl - Songs from Bilitis
• Hedwige Chrétien - L’Amoureuse des vagues
• Hedwige Chrétien - Les Matelots
• Hedwige Chrétien - Dernier rêve!
• Rita Strohl - La Momie

Kitty Whately, mezzo-soprano

Edwige Herchenroder, piano

Date: 2025

Label: Chandos

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The mezzo-soprano Kitty Whately and pianist Edwige Herchenroder present a programme of French mélodies from a range of composers, all based in Paris at the turn of the twentieth century. This was an exciting and stimulating time in the city, when the country was experiencing a surge of national confidence and creativity, and events such as the 1889 Exposition Universelle, broadened both geographical and cultural horizons. The women’s movement flourished concurrently, ushering in new – if still unequal – educational and professional opportunities. The songs included on the album reflect these new horizons in a number of ways. The majority were composed by female composers and share popular contemporary sources such as Songs of Bilitis (a collection of erotic, essentially lesbian poetry by Pierre Louÿs, published in Paris in 1894) and Franz Toussaint's La Flûte de jade (The Jade Flute), a French translation of an anthology of Chinese poems. The album contains four première recordings – three songs by Hedwige Chrétien, and Marguerite Canal’s settings of seven songs from La Flûte de jade.

Kitty Whately (b. 1983, London) is a celebrated British mezzo-soprano known for her expressive performances in opera and art song, particularly contemporary works. A past Kathleen Ferrier Award winner and BBC New Generation Artist, she has premiered roles in operas by Turnage, Mazzoli, Adamo, and others. She has performed with major UK opera houses and orchestras, including the Royal Opera House, Scottish Opera, and BBC Symphony. Recent highlights include Madama Butterfly (Grange Park Opera) and Festen (ROH). She is also a dedicated recitalist and recording artist, championing women composers in her latest albums and radio broadcasts.

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