Icons & Instigators opens the Chautauqua Opera Conservatory's 2026 recital season. Inspired by Chautauqua Institutions Week One theme, this program celebrates women whose artistry, ideas, and determination have shaped culture and challenged innovation. Featuring music by Amy Beach, Lili Boulanger, Clara Schumann, Pauline Viardot, Josephine Lang, Marion Bauer, Mary Turner Salter, Idabelle Firestone, and more.

Featuring:

Victoria McGrath, Soprano

Gabrielle Guida, Mezzo-Soprano

Zoe Brooks, Mezzo-Soprano

Dominic Townsend, Baritone

With collaborative Pianists:

Donna Gill, Stephen Hargreaves, Lynn Kompass

July 1st at 6:30 pm

Lenna Hall

To a moon-flower

     - Mary Turner Salter, Text by Mary Turner Salter

Je demande (2:15)

     - Amy Beach, Text by Armand Sivestre

Roses breathe in the night (2:15)

     - Marion Bauer, Text by Margaret Widdemer

Victoria McGrath, Soprano

Donna Gill, Piano

Nous nous aimerons tant (3')

     - Lili Boulanger, text by Francis Jammes

Reflets (3')

     - Lili Boulanger, text by Maurice Maeterlinck

"How sweet the Moonlight sleeps upon this Bank" (5')

      - Liza Lehmann, text by Shakespeare from Merchant of Venice

Gabrielle Guida, Mezzo-soprano

Dominic Townsend, Baritone

Lynn Kompass, Piano

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Schon wieder bin ich fortgerissin (2:20)

      - Josephine Lang, Text by Heinrich Heine

Haï luli! (2:21)

     - Pauline Viardot, Text by Xavier de Maistre

Lorelei (2:21)

     - Clara Schumann, Text by Heinrich Heine

Gabrielle Guida, Mezzo-soprano

Lynn Kompass, Piano

Penelope (8')

     - Cecilia Livingston, text by Cecilia Livingston

Zoe Brooks, Mezzo-soprano

Stephen Hargreaves, Piano

If I could tell you (3:15)

     - Idabelle Firestone, text by Madeleine Marshall

Dominic Townsend, Baritone

Donna Gill, Piano

Miss Wheatley's Garden (8:30)

Songs for the people

      - Rosephanye Powell, text by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper

I want to die while you love me

      - Rosephanye Powell, text by Georgia Douglas Johnson

A winter twilight

      - Rosephanye Powell, text by Angelina W. Grimke

Dominic Townsend, Baritone

Lynn Kompass, Piano

Three Browning Songs, op. 44 (6:30)

      - Amy Beach, Text by Robert Browning

-The Year’s at the Spring

- Ah, love, but a day

- I send my heart up to thee

Victoria McGrath, Soprano

Stephen Hargreaves, Piano