Melissa Schiel, Mezzo-soprano, and Tamara Caulkins, Classical Guitar, are proud to present a program of early nineteenth-century Spanish songs, French chansons, and Italian operas by renowned early 19th century composer Fernando Sor (1778-1839).

The program features songs for voice and guitar that are by turns lively, soulful, impertinent and thoughtful. In the Spanish tradition, “A conquistar tu plaza,” “De amor en las prisiones,” and “Mis descuidados ojos” play on themes of love and desire while “No doblarán campanas,” reflects on death and memory.

French selections include “O Vous que Mars rends Invincible,” a Romance “sung by Mademoiselle Nadaje Fusil in the comedy-opera Les Trois Sultanes [The Three Sultans], and a “Valse du ballet de Cendrillon” based on a tune from Sor’s popular ballet. Composed to celebrate the talents of his wife, the French dancer Félicité Hullin, Sor’s Cendrillon was performed over a hundred times throughout Europe.

Among the Italian songs are a number of arrangements of arias from Mozart’s operas: the lighthearted “Batti Batti,” a wistful “Deh vieni alla finestra,” and – described as “Mozart’s favourite Air” – “Vedrai Carino.” A moving “Lagrime mie d’affanno” [My tears of trouble] showcases the expressive power of the singer.

Fernando Sor was hailed as the “Beethoven of the Guitar” by a contemporary music critic, François-Joseph Fétis (1784-1871). While Sor’s music continues to be widely played by guitarists, his songs are less well-known. Nevertheless, he first trained as a singer and considered himself as much a vocalist as a guitarist. This program testifies to his talents composing both for voice and guitar.

Canadian Mezzo-soprano Melissa Schiel has established herself in the Pacific Northwest as a concert soloist, stage performer, and recitalist. She has performed with chamber groups and orchestras including Beethoven’s Symphony No.9 with Yakima Symphony and Handel’s Messiah with Wenatchee Valley Symphony, the Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra, Rainer Symphony Orchestra, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra, and Orchestra Seattle.

She has sung leading roles in operas such as Dorabella in Così fan tutte, Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro, Dritte Dame in Die Zauberflöte,and Olga in Eugene Onegin. In 2007, Schiel premiered the role of Estelle Oglethorpe in Later the Same Evening, an opera by American composer John Musto. Schiel has also performed numerous oratorio works including: Verdi’s Requiem, Handel’s Messiah, Bruckner’s Te Deum, Beethoven’s Symphony No.9, and Bach’s Christmas Oratorio. Passionate about early music, Dr. Schiel has enjoyed frequent collaborations with the CWU Baroque ensemble Musica Antiqua.

Dr. Schiel teaches voice at Central Washington University. She received her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in vocal performance from University of Maryland, a Master of Music in vocal performance from University of Toronto, and a Bachelor of Music in vocal performance with distinction from McGill University.

Tamara Caulkins, Guitar, specializes in historically-informed performances of early nineteenth-century music. She has conducted research in archives in France, Spain, and the U.S. to recover long-lost music for guitar, guitar and voice, and chamber music with guitar. Tamara has also studied eighteenth-century dance and has performed with Seattle Early Dance, Musica Antiqua, and the Musicking festival in Eugene, Oregon. She plays a 1830s guitar built in Mirecourt, France.

Tamara has performed throughout the Pacific Northwest and Southeastern U.S. with the Caulkins Guitar Duo (with husband Neil) as regional touring roster artists. The duo actively commissions new works for two guitars and recently received an Ellensburg Arts Commission award to record music written for the duo, including “Dry Falls,” a suite that celebrates the unique geology of eastern Washington.

Dr. Caulkins holds a Master’s in Applied Music from the University of North Carolina Greensboro and a PhD in the history of science from Oregon State University. She has taught courses at Central Washington University, The Evergreen State College, and Wenatchee Valley College. She studied with Jose Luis Rodrigo at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Madrid, Spain, and also received scholarships to study at the international Spanish music festival in Santiago de Compostela and the Manuel de Falla International music festival in Granada.