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From:
Janos Gereben <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Moderated Classical Music List <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Mon, 5 Jun 2006 22:28:01 -0700
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"Ruth doesn't know I am going to say this," said Thomas Hampson from the
stage of Herbst Theater Monday night, "but it's OK because I will cover
the cost: if you feel you're not getting what you paid for, turn in your
tickets at the end of the concert and your money will be refunded." Then,
in response to some nervous titters in the audience, Hampson added: "I
mean it, I am serious."

The reference was to Ruth Felt, founder-director of San Francisco
Performances, home to an annual appearance by Hampson for the the past
quarter century.  By sheer coincidence, I asked Felt before the concert
if the unusually late and intense allergy season is having a toll on
"her singers," and was surprised when she said: "Wait for Tom's
announcement."

Allergies (or "something," he said) got to Hampson already two nights
ago, when he had to shorten his "Song of America" concert in San Jose.
Now, before the beginning of a sold-out lieder recital, he had to make
a decision whether to go on or cancel.  He chose to perform, adding a
money-back guarantee.

Then, somewhat incongruously, Hampson used up a great deal of his
remaining voice with a 17-minute lecture on Schumann, Schubert, Heine
("without whom there might not have been a Sigmund Freud," an aside to
ponder), and - especially - the validity of his version and interpretation
of Schumann's "Dichterliebe." To read about the subject, Hampson suggested
his http://hampsong.com/ (don't bother with Hampson.com, that's the wrong
address).

This is a matter of passion for Hampson, to differentiate between
Schumann's original 1840 "20 Lieder und Gesange aus dem Lyrischen
Intermezzo," and the 1844 shortened version that goes under the
(Schumann-approved) name of "Dichterliebe."

To husband his voice, Hampson sang "only" a substantial cycle of Schubert
Heine songs from "Schwanengesang," and those "20 Songs" by Schumann.
With Wolfram Rieger's self-effacing and gloriously effective accompaniment,
Hampson sang well, the voice ranging from a bit worn to as good as ever.
At the end of the evening, no one appeared to have taken Hampson up on
his money-back offer.

Janos Gereben/SF
www.sfcv.org
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