Enjoy lush art songs by Berlioz, Britten, Mahler, Milhaud & Debussy, along with stunning American songs set to Emily Dickinson poems that all celebrate the abundance of life.
“I am very excited to share this program of songs with the Portland community. I was selecting music for this recital back in January when I was dreaming of summer! These poems exude warmth and pleasure. There is something for everyone to enjoy: exquisite songs by Debussy and Mahler, Irish folk songs arranged by Benjamin Britten, Emily Dickinson poems set by contemporary American composers, and Berlioz’ grand romantic songs from Les Nuits d’Eté. Be prepared to be transported away from the cold into a rich sensory world of piano, voice, and poetry.”
-Natalie Gunn
Artist Biographies:
Pianist Susan McDaniel has appeared widely as a soloist and chamber musician, including recitals in France, Germany, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic. She received a B.A. in music from Linfield College, where she studied with Jill Timmons, and a M.M. in vocal accompanying from Manhattan School of Music, where she was a student of Warren Jones. While at Manhattan, she also studied chamber music with Isidore Cohen and Ruth Laredo, and Baroque performance practice with Kenneth Cooper. Susan has been a member of the music staff at Seattle Opera and Utah Festival Opera as well as music director and pianist for the San Diego Opera Ensemble, Off-Center Opera (Seattle), and Puget Sound Concert Opera. Currently based in her home state of Oregon, she teaches at Linfield College and frequently performs in the Portland area.
Natalie Gunn’s beautiful soprano voice and intelligent artistry bring colorful interpretations to concert and opera stages throughout the region. The Oregonian recently acclaimed, “She was a natural on stage, her warmth and easy grace a match for her supple, flexible voice.” (James McQuillen) Natalie was recently seen singing Barber’s luscious Knoxville: Summer of 1915, with the Linfield Chamber Orchestra, Carmina Burana with the Music in the Mountains Festival in CA, Handel’s Messiah with Portland Baroque Orchestra under the baton of Richard Egarr, and creating the role of Louise in Story of an Hour, a new operetta by Michael Valenti with Portland Chamber Orchestra. Her other favorite engagements include singing Adina (L’elisir d’amore, Portland SummerFest), Queen of the Night (Magic Flute, Portland Opera tour), Bach’s Cantata 210 (Oregon Mozart Players), and Polly (The Beggar’s Opera, PBO, with Monica Huggett).
Natalie has been honored by several major artist competitions, including NATSAA, the National Opera Association, the Metropolitan Opera National Council, and the Gerda Lissner Foundation in New York City. Natalie’s rich training includes studies with the legendary Ellen Faull, Ruth Dobson, Sheri Greenawald and Dean Williamson, and she continues to coach with Richard Bower. She was honored as an Adams Fellow at the prestigious Carmel Bach Festval, and has participated in the Internationale Bachakademie Festival Ensemble, directed by Helmuth Rilling.
A dynamic teacher in her private studio and college classroom, Natalie enjoys sharing her love for the language of music and deep understanding of voice with her students. An active member of both OMTA and NATS, she is also a certified teacher-trainer for The Center for Teacher Effectiveness. She holds a Master of Music degree from Portland State University, where she received the President’s Award for Outstanding University Service. Natalie teaches for both Linfield College and Willamette University, and recently directed Sondheim’s Into the Woods for Gallery Theater in McMinnville. She makes her home in Wilsonville, and enjoys the great outdoors and fine Oregon wines.
