Matthew Patrick Morris at Brooklyn Art Song Society

Matthew Patrick Morris

Barihunk Matthew Patrick Morris will be one of the singers in the upcoming program of Benjamin Britten songs at the Brooklyn Art Song Society on March 17th.

The program will include the composer's On This Island, Op. 11, The Holy Sonnets of John Donne, Op. 35, Songs and Proverbs of William Blake, Op. 74 and Cabaret Songs. The other performers include soprano Laura Strickling, mezzo-soprano Samantha Malk, tenor Joseph Gaines and Michael Brofman and Spencer Myer on piano.

Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau sings the Songs and Proverbs of William Blake:

Morris will perform the William Blake songs, which were composed in 1965 and premiered at the Aldeburgh Festival by Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau. The works were written to showcase Fischer-Dieskau's unique blend of intense lyricism and dramatic characterization. Although best known for writing for his partner tenor Peter Pears, Britten wrote a number of great baritone roles in opera, including major roles in Billy Budd, Owen Wingrave, The Rape of Lucretia, Peter Grimes and Death in Venice.

The concert will be held at the Brooklyn Historical Society in downtown Brooklyn. Tickets are available online. 

Theo Hoffman to perform free recital at Alice Tully Hall

When we first posted about Theo Hoffman, he was preparing for his performance as Count Almaviva in Mozart's Le nozze do Figaro at Julliard. We mentioned that he also had an upcoming recital, but we didn't have a date at the time. 

We've learned that he'll be performing as part of the Britten celebration with the Juilliard Songfest at Alice Tully Hall on December 3rd.  Hoffman will be joined by accompanist Brian Zeger to perform selections from Songs and Proverbs of William Blake. Tickets are free and are available at the Juilliard box office.

Theo Hoffman sings Pierrot's Tanzlied from Korngold's "Die Tote Stadt":

This summer, Hoffman, who was a member of the 2013 Gerdine Young Artists at the Opera Theatre of St. Louis, will perform the role of Thierry in Poulenc’s Dialogues of the Carmelites. The all-star cast will be led by Christine Brewer, Kelly Kaduce, Meredith Arwady,  David Porillo and fellow barihunk Troy Cook. Performances run from June 18-28 and tickets are available online.