Jennifer Larmore to perform at UNC's Memorial Hall tonight

With Valentine’s Day approaching quickly, many recognize the myriad emotions—joy, angst, melancholy and humor—that love incorporates. Opera singer Jennifer Larmore will perform tonight with a program that takes the audience through the fascinating journey of love.

Larmore will perform “The Art of Love” at 7:30 p.m. tonight in Memorial Hall as part of the Carolina Performing Arts series.

In tonight’s performance, she will be accompanied by pianist Antoine Palloc. The two will perform a series of love songs from America, France and Spain.

An American mezzo-soprano, Larmore is an internationally recognized and widely praised opera performer.

A mezzo-soprano is the second highest voice part for women. Though most people refer to Larmore as a mezzo-soprano, she can perform pieces beyond that range too, said Melissa Martin, a member of the UNC department of music.

“She has much more to offer as an artist. She has an extension on the top of her voice that allows her to do a lot of the higher repertoire, which many other mezzo-soprano artists cannot achieve,” Martin said, of her ability to hit the high notes.

Larmore is well-known for her attention to the audience, and she strives to communicate with them in each of her performances.

“Something really special about her is her attention not only to the singing but to the complete character,” Martin said.

This performance displays the expansion of Larmore’s repertoire to include more modern songs. Previously, she focused on songs in the classical bel canto, or beautiful singing, style.

She and Palloc performed “The Art of Love” across Europe before this tour, but Larmore adjusted the repertoire for the concert for American audiences.

“Earlier she performed more foreign works, but Larmore revised the show to include more modern pieces as well as to feature more American works,” said Harry Kaplowitz, marketing manager for the Carolina Performing Arts.

The program contains six different acts including “Love: in all its melancholy and angst!” “Love of Life!” “The Femme Fatale of Love,” “Storybook Love,” “Love in its guises” and “Love of the stage!”

In these scenes Larmore explores the wonder and the anguish of love through songs by composers from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.

In addition to this performance, Larmore will be teaching a master class to UNC students at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Person Recital Hall.

Larmore has a passion for education, which is emphasized through her willingness to work with students, Martin said.



Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.