DETAILS

The Voices of Poulenc features two late works of 20th century French composer Francis Poulenc, showing the emotional connections between his instrumental and his dramatic music through shared melodic motives and harmonic organization. It also explores extra-musical values that form his overall artistic aesthetic, such as the use of space in unconventional ways and collaboration with other artists. Jointly presented by CMP and Music at Third, this lecture/performance hybrid utilizes three different spaces within Third Presbyterian Church with the CMP and Music at Third present an immersive evening of music and movement dedicated to innovative 20th century French composer Francis Poulenc. The Voices of Poulenc evokes the emotional connections between his instrumental and dramatic music through two remarkable works: his final piece, the Oboe Sonata, and the solo opera La voix humaine (The Human Voice). Join us to learn the history of a unique composer, enjoy a glass of wine, and experience an unforgettable collaborative production featuring talented Pittsburgh-based performers. The program begins with Poulenc’s final composition, the Oboe Sonata, which The New York Times described as a “paradoxical mix of the elegiac, the suave and the clever.” Then, Winnica Young and Kato join forces for an immersive staging of La voix humaine, a 40-minute opera work inspired by the Jean Cocteau play. With “beautiful lyricism and powerful drama” (San Francisco Classical Voice), La voix humaine illustrates the resonant intensity of a love unraveling. The event is free but donations are strongly encouraged!