AFTER the well-received Philippine premiere of Schubert’s “Die Schone Mullerin (The Maiden on the Mill)” of tenor Arthur Espiritu and pianist Najib Ismail, the art songs are coming back with an upcoming performance by soprano Stefanie Quintin, tenor Ervin Lumauag and pianist Alejandro Consolacion at Alliance Francaise Manila multipurpose hall on Sept. 14.

One got a unique sampling of Quintin’s interpretation of art songs in the last Baguio Summer Music Festival and was more than rewarded with her collaborating artist, classical guitarist Anton Luis Avila.

Indeed, the recital reinstated the art of singing into a rarefied level with Quintin’s well-placed and agile coloratura. Out of the blue, one discovered a gem of an art song interpreter.

Of course it is a fact that Manila’s music lovers would rather listen to an evening of arias (preferably with a feast of high notes) than bother with art songs that some sectors dismiss as the stuff of “intellectual singing.”

The art song recital program includes “L’absence” by Hector Berlioz, “Les Filles de Cadix” by Leo Delibes, “L’heure exquise” by Reynaldo Hahn, “Oh, Quand je dors” by Franz Liszt, “Il Neige” by Hermann Bemberg, “Chevaux de boix” and “Mandoline” by Claude Debussy, “Je Veux Vivre” by Charles Gounod, “Trois Melodies” by Claude Debussy, “Cinq melodies de Venise” by Gabriel Faure, “Cinq melodies populaires Grecques” by Maurice Ravel, “Ah, leve-toi,soleil!” by Charles Gounod, “Musette” by Francois Couperin, “Les Danses de Lormont” by Cesar Franck, “C’est une chanson d’amour” by Jacques Offenbach and “Dirait-on” by Morten Lauridsen.

Quintin graduated with a degree in vocal pedagogy and vocal performance from University of the Philippines College of Music under the tutelage of Professor Emeritus Fides Cuyugan-Asensio and maestro Rica Nepomuceno.

Tenor Lumauag finished his Bachelor of Music in Voice at University of the Philippines Music magna cum laude. He was also a featured soloist for the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra in one Cultural Center of the Philippines concert.

Collaborating artist Consolacion received his diploma in organ performance from the Associated Board of Royal Schools of Music in London and Licentiate in Organ Performance at the Royal Schools of Music with distinction.

The Sept. 14 concert dubbed “Chansons Amour” is presented by the Alliance Française de Manille, in cooperation with the Embassy of France in the Philippines and the Independent Philippines Art Ventures (IPAV).

For tickets, call Ticketworld at 8919999 or e-mail IPAV at [email protected].