This thesis presents extended program notes for a sixty-minute vocal graduate recital consisting of the following repertoire for soprano: Two arias by Johann Sebastian Bach from his Coffee Cantata, BWV 211; W.A. Mozart’s concert aria Vado, ma dove?, K. 583; three selections from Antonín Dvořák’s Cigánské Melodie, Op. 55; Jules Massenet’s Adieu, notre petite table from Manon; Gustav Holst’s Four Songs, Op. 35; contemporary composer Mark Adamo’s Joy Beyond Measure from Little Women; Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Vocalise; and selected English art songs by Madeleine Dring. Extending over four centuries of music, these works encompass five languages and display a variety of musical periods and styles. These extended program notes place these works in historical context, offer analytical overviews, and discuss relevant performance practice traditions.
