A Spring in Love:

An afternoon of duets with:

Melissa Jean Chávez, Soprano
Joseph Kaz, Tenor

and
David Chávez, piano
With special thanks to Abiding Presence Lutheran Church for hosting today’s recital.

Program:
Un di felice G. Verdi
From La Travita (1813-1901)
Alfredo, lovesick for the courtesan Violetta, confesses his love for her. Violetta replies that she does not know how to
love, and it would be best for him to accept her offer of friendship alone.

One Hand, One Heart L. Bernstein

From West Side Story (1918-1990)
Tony and Maria, star-crossed lovers, pledge their love to each other in a make believe wedding.

Bimba dagli occhi G. Puccini

From Madama Butterfly (1858-1924)
Pinkerton, an American naval officer and Butterfly, a Japanese geisha, are alone for the first time after their wedding.
Pinkerton playfully entreats Butterfly to tell him she loves him, and she shyly responds to his advances, asking him to
"love me just a little" (Vogliatemi bene, un bene piccolino). As he admires her delicate Butterfly features, she asks if it is
true that, overseas, butterflies are caught and pinned. Pinkerton replies that it is only so the butterflies won't fly away
and Butterfly pledges her love, now and forever, as they sing under the starry sky.

Interlude

Ora soave U. Giordano

From Andrea Chenier (1867-1948)
Maddalena, a fugitive during the French Revolution, has been writing letters to her childhood family acquaintance,
Andrea Chenier. Aided by her childhood servant, she seeks him out and asks for his protection. Chenier is deeply
touched by her devotion and they declare their love to each other, a love that will last until separated by death.

Il se fait tard C. Gounod

From Faust (1818-1893)
Faust has entered into a bargain with the devil to again experience the joys and innocence of youth, and at the center of
his conquest is the heart of Marguerite. Marguerite has fallen in love with Faust, but she bids him leave for the hour is
late. From her window, she begs him to return and he obliges.

From La Boheme: G. Puccini

Che gelida manina
Si, mi chiamano Mimi
O soave fanciulla
It is a cold Christmas Eve and Mimi has come a neighboring apartment, looking for someone to relight a candle.
Rodolfo is immediately smitten with Mimi and to prevent her from leaving, extinguishes his own candle. In the dark,
they share their stories but are interrupted by the sounds of Rodolfo's friends asking him to come to dinner. Shyly,
Mimi asks if she can come as well, and Rodolfo happily acquiesces. They share their newfound love as they leave the
apartment arm in arm.