With Violinist Tess Verweij

Brahms Violin Sonata Nr. 1 in G Major Op. 78

We’re proud to present “Whispers of Melancholy”, a program that explores the rich interplay of nostalgia, love, and longing through a selection of pieces for soprano and piano that span the 19th and 20th centuries. At the heart of the program is Ernesto Halffter’s 6 Portuguese Songs, composed between 1940 and 1941, which evokes the beauty and complexity of Portuguese folk traditions, including Fado. Known for it’s deep emotion and melancholy, Fado songs are often about love, loss, and nostalgia, embodying the concept of "saudade” (missing something or someone). Although the Portuguese rightly claim Fado as their own national style, the emotional themes that it contains are utterly universal. In this program we’re going to explore all the shades of Melancholy in different cultures and music from around the world. These international alternatives to Fado will be interspersed with clips from the queen of Fado herself, Amália Rodrigues, further showcasing the richness of Portuguese culture.