Shaofeng Zheng, baritone

Alexander Bernstein, piano

Friday, April 26, 2024 at 4:00 p.m.
Goodson Chapel – Recital Hall
Shenandoah Conservatory

Melodies of Longing: Portrayals of Xiangjia (Longing for Home) in Selected Chinese Art Songs 1920–2022

Land & Nature

Thoughts on a Tranquil Night (静夜思)

Text by Li bai (618–907)
Music by Zhao Jiping (b.1945)

Listening to the Rain (听雨)

Text by Liu Bannong (1891–1934)
Music by Zhao Yuanren (1892–1982)

Patriotic Devotion

End of Spring Blossoms and Autumn Moons? (春花秋月何时了?)

Text by Li Yu (937–978)
Music by Wanglong

National Mourning (望乡词)

Text by Yú Yòurèn (1879–1964)
Music by Lu Zaiyi (b. 1943)

Kinship Bonds

Longing for My Mother (想亲娘)

Music by Ding Shangde (1911–1995)

This lecture recital offers a selection of Chinese art songs centered around the theme of Xiangjia, which translates to “longing for home” in Mandarin Chinese. It also provides background information on the context and expressive elements of these songs. Its aim is to make them more accessible to non-native performers and, therefore, available to a wider audience. Performances by native singers allow Chinese art songs to be heard around the world.

Shaofeng Zheng is from the studio of Fotina Naumenko. This recital is presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a Doctor of Musical Arts in Performance (Voice).