Portuguese soprano Camila Mandillo is celebrated not only for her crystal-clear voice but also for her thoughtfully curated programmes. Alongside the great classics, she passionately champions repertoire that is rarely heard in the concert hall. In recognition of her artistic achievements, she was selected as a Rising Star and now appears as part of the Elbphilharmonie’s festival week.
Olivier Messiaen’s »Trois Mélodies« and »Chant de terre et de ciel« provide the spiritual framework for the evening. In these works, the deeply religious composer unites his faith with his love of nature – especially the birdlife that fascinated him throughout his life. Ruth Schönthal’s song »Arme Erde« (Poor Earth) also celebrates the beauty of nature, while confronting the destructive impact of humankind.
As part of the Rising Stars programme, each musician has the opportunity to commission a new work. Mandillo has chosen the British-Lebanese composer Bushra El-Turk, whose artistic credo closely reflects the soprano’s own approach: »I’m very interested in exploring the spectrum between the written and the improvised, the spoken and the sung, and between music and theatre.« Likewise, Mandillo often shapes her recitals as performances that blur the boundaries between song, dance and drama.
PERFORMERS
Camila Mandillo soprano
Filipe Gaio piano
PROGRAM
»Transfigurations«
Olivier Messiaen
Trois Mélodies
Ruth Schönthal
Arme Erde
Richard Strauss
Eight Songs from »Letzte Blätter«, Op. 10
- Interval -
Bushra El-Turk
New Work
Olivier Messiaen
Chants de terre et de ciel