Graduating Student Recital | Yiran Zhang, soprano | A Woman’s Life

Liza Lehmann’s “There Are Fairies at the Bottom of Our Garden” is a delightful and whimsical song cycle that has enchanted audiences since its composition in the late 19th century. Written for voice and piano, this work is based on a series of poems by the English poet, Rose Fyleman, and it captures the innocence, magic, and wonder of childhood imagination. The title itself evokes a sense of a hidden, magical world where fairies live and play, and the music reflects this theme through its lilting, playful melodies.

Aaron Copland’s “The Little Horses” is a gentle, lyrical song that showcases the composer’s deep connection to American folk traditions and his ability to evoke a sense of warmth and simplicity through music. Written in 1944 as part of his cycle “Old American Songs”, this piece is often performed as a standalone work, cherished for its soothing, lullaby-like quality.Copland’s arrangement of this piece is simple yet evocative, employing flowing melodic lines and lush harmonies that enhance the lullaby’s soothing effect.The piano accompaniment is gentle, providing a delicate, almost rocking rhythm that mimics the slow movement of the horses, further enhancing the dreamlike quality of the piece.

Leonard Bernstein’s “I Hate Music!” is a whimsical and humorous song that has delighted audiences since its composition in 1943.Musically, “I Hate Music!” is highly dynamic and varied. The piano accompaniment is rhythmically energetic, often switching from lively to dramatic sections that mirror the changing emotions of the child in the song. Bernstein uses the full range of the singer’s voice to convey both the mock annoyance and exaggerated disdain, creating a playful contrast between the child’s expressed feelings and the beauty of the music itself.Especially，I Hate Music received its premiere at the Lenox Public Library in Lenox, Massachusetts on 24 August 1943.

Gustav Mahler’s “Wer hat das Liedlein erdacht?” from Des Knaben Wunderhorna collection of folk-inspired songs based on German folk poetry.

“Viellie Chanson” is a charming piece composed by Georges Bizet, and it comes from a work that showcases his lyrical and emotional musical style. The piece is often categorized as a chanson (a French song), and its tender, nostalgic tone evokes the spirit of folk traditions, a feature Bizet often incorporated into his compositions.

Fanny Mendelssohn’s music here is radiant and flowing, with a sense of upward movement that mirrors the blossoming of nature described in the lyrics. Her use of piano accompaniment is delicate yet full of life, supporting the vocal line with warmth and harmonic richness. The melody itself is bright and lyrical, almost as if the music is singing along with the imagery of flowers blooming and the world coming to life.Frühling(Spring) is a joyful and vibrant depiction of the renewal and awakening that comes with the arrival of spring. The text, which was written by the poet Ludwig Rellstab, celebrates the beauty and promise of the season, with images of blooming flowers, the sun’s warmth, and the life that returns to the natural world after the cold of winter.

Kennst du das Land” is one of the poems written for Mignon by Goethe. It describes Mignon’s longing for her home country Italy and expresses her desire to find a father figure in the novel’s young protagonist Wilhelm. Mignon’s emotions to Wilhelm move between the love of a woman the love for a saviorr and the love of a child for her father. Throughout the poem, Mignon’s emotional status is hanging between being hopeful (about finding her home) and feeling anxious.
Frere! Voyez!… Du gai soleil sung by Charlotte’s younger sister Sophie, who observes Werther’s troubled spirit and due to her youthful naivete does not truly understand his frustrated lovelorn state and encourages him to see the happiness that life has to offer

“Art is Calling for Me” is a comic aria from Victor Herbert’s operetta The Enchantress (1903). In this piece, one of the princesses expresses her desire to become an opera singer, which she finds far more appealing than her royal life. The character sings of her yearning to leave behind the constraints of royalty in favor of a career in the arts, hoping to capture the attention of Prince Ivan with her talents. The song is lively and humorous, showcasing her idealistic view of the artistic life and her sense of freedom.

“Les berceaux” is French for “the cradles” or “the bowers,” and it can also refer to a well-known art song by Gabriel Fauré, a setting of a poem by Sully-Prudhomme, that explores themes of parting and loneliness.

Ma premiere letter” tells the story of a nostalgic reflection on a childhood memory.The song poignantly contrasts the innocence and simplicity of childhood with the complexities and eventual forgetfulness of adulthood. It explores themes of nostalgia, the passage of time, and the bittersweet nature of memories.

Abendempfindung is an art song composed by Mozart, a German, and its lyrics are written by J. H. Campe, an Austrian. The song was completed by Mozart in June 1787, shortly after the death of his father. At that time, Mozart was so poor and ill that he could not return to Salzburg before his father died. Only a month before his father’s death, he wrote, if you think carefully, you can realize that death is the real goal of life. I have, in these years, come close to this truest friend of mankind, and his image frightens me no more, but calms and comforts me.” The art song embodies the characteristic of 19th-century sentimental poetry with lyrics that refer to tears, graves and life. However, in this song, Mozart does not fear death, but shows his inner peace, calmness and sadness in the face of death, as well as his mourn to his father’s death.

The poem ‘Loveliest of Trees’ by Alfred Edward Housman explores the concept that life is short and needs to be embraced before it is too late.

Yiran Zhang is a dedicated soprano and vocal instructor with a profound passion for exploring and performing the works of women composers. Their mission is to give voice to the often-overlooked contributions of these composers, and their upcoming 2025 recital, “A Woman’s Life,” epitomizes this commitment. The recital will feature works by Clara Schumann, Fanny Mendelssohn, Amy Beach, Rosephanye Powell, Barbara Strozzi, Cecile Chaminade, and Clara Kathleen Rogers—composers who have significantly impacted the field of music with their innovative and expressive contributions.

Throughout their academic journey, she has not only honed their performance skills but has also been deeply involved in vocal pedagogy. As a teaching assistant, they guided students in translating and pronouncing Italian and German lyrics and played an integral role in concert organization. Beyond their academic work, she worked part-time as a vocal teacher, sharing their passion for art song literature and operatic repertoire with students. This experience highlighted their ability to inspire enthusiasm and foster a love of music in others.

She has had ample opportunities to perform onstage, participating in productions such as The Little Prince by Rachel Portman and Cendrillon by Jules Massenet. These roles have allowed them to grow as a performer and collaborator, learning the nuances of character portrayal and orchestra collaboration.