An evening of song

Performers Pengyu Yang (left) and Mengyao Zhao (right).

Concert details

• Date: 2 December
• Time: 5:30 p.m.
• Location: 1300 FRIB Laboratory
• Video Recording

Program

Dichterliebe Op.48
Robert Schumann (1810-1856)

Short Intermission

I know not which way the wind blows
Composer:  Shanghai Conservatory of Music Composition Team
Poet:  Xu Zhimo ( (1897 – 1931)

Chansons Gaillardes       
Francis Poulenc (1899-1963)
La Maîtresse volage 
Chanson à boire 
Madrigal 
Invocation aux Parques 
Couplets bachiques 
L'Offrande 
La Belle Jeunesse
Sérénade

Performers

Pengyu Yang (vocals)

Born and raised in Beijing, China, Baritone, Pengyu Yang is a doctoral student in MSU’s College of Music. Yang came to MSU after having completed his master’s degree at the Manhattan School of Music, studying with the legendary bass, James Morris. He also holds a bachelor’s degree from the Communication University of China. While in New York, Yang performed in concert and opera evenings with the estimable and renowned pianist, Kenneth Merrill. He performed as Antonio in the Manhattan School of Music production of Le Nozze di Figaro. He also performed in opera scenes as Dandini (La Cenerentola) and the Conte Almaviva (Le nozze di Figaro). Already praised for his rich full tone and admirable presence in performance, he will make his MSU Opera Theater debut as Master Ford in Verdi’s magnificent operatic masterpiece “Falstaff” this spring. He is performing in the Celebration of Beautiful Voices Concert on 22 January 2022, in Fairchild Auditorium.

Mengyao Zhao (piano)

Mengyao Zhao has won many awards as a solo pianist in the United States and China. She is the winner of the Honors Concerto Competition at Michigan State University, International Competition, German Irmler International Piano Competition, Asia International Piano Art Competition, and the Hai Lun Bei Chinese New Piano Works Competition. She has been frequently invited to give performances and master classes throughout the United States and China. As a recitalist, she has performed extensively across the U.S. and Asia in major music venues such as Carnegie Hall in New York, Harris Concert Hall in Aspen, Mixon Hall and Kulas Hall in Cleveland, Cook Recital Hall in East Lansing, He Luting Concert Hall in Shanghai, Yan’an Theater and Ningbo Theater.

Beyond her role as a pianist and teacher, Zhao is also a founder and main organizer of the Cleveland International Music Festival and Piano and Vocal Competition at Cleveland Institute of Music in 2018. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she was a main organizer of Cross-Cultural Virtual Conversations with Shanghai Conservatory of Music, turning the restrictions on travel into an opportunity to connect online across cultures.

She completed her bachelor’s degree from Shanghai Conservatory of Music, where she was a recipient of the Chenxian Fu Scholarship. She received her master’s degree from Cleveland Institute of Music with a high scholarship to study with Professor Kathryn Brown, and received the William Kurzban Award when she graduated. She later completed her doctor of musical arts degree from the MSU College of Music, where she was awarded a full scholarship and studied as a graduate assistant with Professor Deborah Moriarty. She is currently completing her second doctoral degree in collaborative piano with a full scholarship and is studying as a graduate assistant with Dr. Zhihua Tang.