By Sarah McMillin, Contributing Writer
“Myths, Legends, and Fairy Tales,” a recital featuring Susquehanna faculty Dianna Grabowski and Naomi Niskala, will take place on Sept. 13 at 7:30 p.m. in Stretansky Concert Hall.
Grabowski, adjunct faculty music, and Niskala, associate professor of music, will perform mezzo-soprano and on piano, respectively.
In the first half of the recital, Grabowski and Niskala will perform “Non erubeskite, reges” from “Oedipus Rex” by Igor Stravinsky, “Guinevere” by Benjamin C.S. Boyle, “Philis” by Deodat de Severac, “Hebe” by Ernest Chausson, “Psyche” by Emile Paladilhe and “La belle au bois dormant” by Claude Debussy.
In the second half of the recital, Grabowski and Niskala will perform “Arianna a Naxos” by Joseph Haydn, “On the Steps of the Palace” from “Into the Woods” by Stephen Sondheim, “My House” from “Peter Pan” by Leonard Bernstein and “Lorelei” from “Pardon My English” by George Gershwin.
“I tried to hit [the theme] from as many angles as possible and have a lot of variety in the music,” Grabowski noted.
Grabowski and Niskala have performed together in the past for a single work, but never for a full recital.
However, according to Grabowski, there are no worries about the two working together for this performance. Grabowski said the two have been able to aptly prepare and interpret the repertoire together.
“With music it’s all about collaboration,” Grabowski said. “It’s very collaborative.”
The performance will be divided into two parts and separated with a brief intermission.
Grabowski has been involved in the Susquehanna community for four years. She teaches voice lessons, vocal pedagogy and voice literature in the Music Department at Susquehanna.
In her career, Grabowski has performed with several music groups, including the Mountainside Baroque, the Tulsa Oratorio Chorus and Seraphic Fire. In addition, she has been in many operas, including performing as the title role in Offenbach’s “La Périchole.”
At Susquehanna, Niskala teaches multiple classes, including piano lessons, piano pedagogy, collaborative piano and music theory. Niskala also chaperones the “Window To Japan” GO program for eight music students every two years.
In her career, Niskala has performed internationally and has had performances broadcast on BBC and NPR. Niskala has also performed with Spectrum Concerts Berlin and Trio Kisosen and her performances have been recorded through Albany Records and Naxos Records.
