Max DeFrancesc, "Lamento" (Henri Duparc)

This video was taken in November 2009 at my Junior Recital for my performance degree at Montclair State University. I was 21 years old and was in my fifth semester of voice study under Dr. Stephen Oosting. The venue was at Union Congregational Church in Montclair, New Jersey. My lovely accompanist on piano was Mary Pinto.

This was one of my favorite pieces on the recital and I just love singing in french. I hope you enjoy the piece as much as I did! Thank you.


Lament

Do you know the white tomb
Where with a plaintive sound, floats
The shadow of a yew tree?
On the yew a pale dove,
Sad and alone in the setting sun,
Sings its song.

As though the awakened soul
Weeps, under the earth, in unison
With the song,
And from the unhappiness of being forgotten
Moans in cooing sounds
Very softly.

Ah! Nevermore near the tomb
Shall I go, when night descends
In its black cloak,
To hear the pale dove
Sing on the branch of a yew
Its plaintive song.

tr. Carol Kimball

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Singing
• Tenor
• Duparc
• Lamento
• French
• Classical
• Recital

[mrandyroo202]

I hope that this doesnt come across in nay way aggressive but I would go on and have further french coaching on this song. Your voice seams to sit well in in but some the vowels are wrong.

great voice and accompanist though

[lovemaxaroni]

@mrandyroo202 Not at all! This was my third French song ever and I had only taken half a semester of French by this point. I am continuing to work on my diction and speaking of French! Thank you for your praise and the critique, all of it is helpful to me! ^_^

[hideaway3]

Max,

Loved the Duparc Lamento. Having coached this many times and having been unable to find a decent recording for years, your French is wonderful, your phrasing impeccable along with your breath control, and the communication with your audience - perf. From the very first notes out of your mouth, I was in tears. After being a pianist and vocal coach for most of my years I know of what I speak, having been trained at two very great conservatories. You're an honor to hear. Keep it up.

[lovemaxaroni]

Thank you so very much! Kind words like these keep my head up durning the rough times of my training. lol.

[taggart81]

BEAUTIFUL performance! I spent MANY months working on this piece with my voice teacher, and I have to say that your interpretation is impeccable! The ONLY thing I would work on is a few of your French nasals...you seem to let the final consonants slip in a bit. But I LOOOOVE that timbre!

[operaman20]

I LOVE YOUR VOICE! VERY BEAUTIFUL! I ENJOYED THIS VERY MUCH! :)

[ternitamas]

you have to be proud of what you do, because it is exquisite, you're very expressive and your singing technique is great. Legato line and breath support are excellent.

Congrats!!

[hideaway3]

The new message is that I have many friends, Evans Mirages with the Cincinnati Opera (should opera be your calling), Paavo Jarvi (now going to Paris), Gittleman with the Dayton, Oh Philharmonic, et. al. My friend, Spencer Myer, also had a chance to play with Gittleman because I pushed and pushed - it worked. But once again I must say, I don't know your goals. By the way, Spencer, through Gittleman, was fortunate to enter Tom Parker's corral in NYC despite Parker not wanting any more pianists.

[hideaway3]

Max,

Not sure where I'm going with this because I don't know enough about you and your goals. What are your teacher's and your singing plans? Opera,oratorio/art songs, Broadway (God I hope not!)? I've finally had the chance to listen to Lyne Dourian (not so good mezzo), Saslav&Stafford (neither so good as a singer/accompanist). Please write me and tell me what your plans are after senior year. I'm not trying to get personal, but when I hear talent I push. New message.