Barbara Bonney Geoffrey Parsons "An Chloë" W.A. Mozart

Barbara Bonney is one of the leading lyric sopranos of her generation. With over 100 recordings to her name, her artistry has been documented for generations of singers to come. Her Sophie (Rosenkavalier) is legendary the world over, as are her Mozart roles of Susanna (Figaro), Parmina (Zauberflote). Ms. Bonney devoted much of her 30 year career to Lieder, and continues to sing Lied-Recitals and Orchestral Concerts. She is a devoted mentor of the new-generation-singer, and is currently Professor at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, as well as guest professor of the Royal Academy of Music in London.

For Ms. Bonneys current concert schedule and more I invited to visit her official web-site at: http://www.barbarabonney.com

Ms Bonney is represented internationally by Michael Storrs Music Ltd. http://www.michaelstorrsmusic.co.uk

Geoffrey Penwill Parsons was born in Sydney, Australia. In 1950, he settled in England, where his first big break came accompanying the bass-baritone Peter Dawson. He also worked closely with the eminent German lieder singer Gerhard Husch, and in 1961 accompanied Miss Schwarzkopf in a recital at Festival Hall in London. He worked regularly in some 40 countries, including more than 30 tours of Australia.

He was an honorary member of both the Royal Academy and the Guildhall School of Music, and a fellow of the Royal College of Music, where he was Prince Consort Professor of piano accompaniment. In addition, he was an Officer of the Order of Australia and the Order of the British Empire, and in 1992 received the Royal Philharmonic Society's Instrumentalist of the Year Award. Many of his numerous recordings also won awards. At the time of his death in 1995 he had become a genial godfather to a new generation of superstar vocalists, including Olaf Bär, Thomas Hampson, and Barbara Bonney. He was also in demand as a teacher, and his master classes were avidly attended.

"An Chloë"

Wenn die Lieb' aus deinen blauen,
hellen, offnen Augen sieht,
und vor Lust hinein zu schauen
mir's im Herzen klopft und glüht;

und ich halte dich und küße
deine Rosenwangen warm,
liebes Mädchen, und ich schließe
zitternd dich in meinem Arm,

Mädchen, Mädchen, und ich drücke
dich an meinen Busen fest,
der im letzten Augenblicke
sterbend nur dich von sich läßt;

den berauschten Blick umschattet
eine düstre Wolke mir,
und ich sitze dann ermattet,
aber selig neben dir.

"To Chloë"

When love shines from your blue,
bright, open eyes,
and with the pleasure of gazing into them
my heart pounds and glows;

and I hold you and kiss
your rosy, warm cheeks,
lovely maiden, and I clasp
you trembling in my arms,

maiden, maiden, and I press
you firmly to my breast,
which at the last moment,
only at death, will let you go;

then my intoxicated gaze is shadowed
by a gloomy cloud,
and I sit then, exhausted,
but blissful, next to you.

Whitebabygrandpiano
2009