Praised by the critics for her strong stage presence, the depth of her interpretations, and her vocal agility, the young Scottish mezzo-soprano Beth Taylor is back in Montreal to present a double program at the 2025 edition of the OSM’s Vir\u00e9e classique. In January 2025, she performed Alma Mahler’s lieder with the OSM in a concert where she was honored alongside her husband Gustav’s Symphony No. 6. This time, in keeping with the nature theme that runs throughout this season’s Vir\u00e9e classique, Beth Taylor offers two contrasting programs. First, on Saturday, August 16, with the OSM and Rafael Payare, Edward Elgar’s Sea Pictures cycle, a musical poem highlighting the different natures of the ocean, which can be as beautiful as it is dangerous. Then, the next day, August 17, at the Cinqui\u00e8me salle de la Place des Arts, she will give a vocal recital accompanied on piano by Esther Gonthier, presenting a diverse program ranging from French melodies by Reynaldo Hahn to lieder by Clara Schumann and Johannes Brahms, as well as folk songs arranged by Benjamin Britten, exploring the themes of love and nature. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before this mini concert marathon, she spoke with PAN M 360 collaborator Alexandre Villemaire about these programs and what they represent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n