Shafer's recital dazzles with ranging repertoire

By Edward Reichel

Utah's own Celena Shafer presented a recital Thursday that was nothing short of dazzling. Singing a program that focused on opera arias by Giuseppe Verdi and Giacomo Puccini and art songs by Gabriel Faure and Richard Strauss, the 34-year-old soprano put her amazing vocal talents on display for her appreciative audience.

Shafer has sung numerous times here in Utah both with the Utah Symphony and with Utah Opera, but this was her first local recital in several years. And it was certainly well worth waiting for.

Possessing a crystalline soprano voice that is swathed in warmth and rich luster, Shafer's vocal range seemingly knows no boundaries. She can sing coloratura roles with ease, while at the same time bring an inviting sensuality to dramatic roles. Wonderfully musical, Shafer sings with expression, feeling and lyricism, and it's no exaggeration to say she owns whatever she sings.

Accompanying her Wednesday was local pianist Kathleen Skidmore, who brought her own compelling artistry to the concert. The two are like-minded artists and their collaborative effort was a wonder to behold. They complemented each other and Skidmore offered sensitive support for Shafer.

The recital, which was part of the Utah Symphony's Deer Valley Music Festival, and well attended, opened with Faure's captivating cycle "Cinq melodies 'De Venise,'" op. 58.

Faure's songs rival those of the great German song composers of the 19th century. They are wonderfully melodic and appealing, and this cycle is without question one of his most alluring with its sensuous harmonies and disarming lyricism.

Shafer did a marvelous job with these five songs, drawing her audience immediately into this world with the opening notes of the first song, "Mandoline." She gave an impassioned account that was imbued with feeling and tender expressiveness.

The first half also included a set of four arias by Verdi and Puccini, starting with Oscar's impetuous "Saper vorreste" from Verdi's "Un ballo in maschera," and included the same composer's "Caro nome" from "Rigoletto" and Puccini's "Quando m'en vo" from "La boheme" and "O mio babbino caro" from "Gianni Schicchi."

Shafer was in her element here, investing these arias with expressiveness, dramatic urgency, passion and, in the case of the two Puccini arias, with a coquettishness that was irresistible. Shafer certainly is at home here, and one can only hope that she will return to Utah Opera again in the near future.

The other major work on the program was Strauss' magnificent "Sechs Brentano Lieder," op. 68, which opened the second half. These are gorgeous songs that are full of rich harmonic textures that mirror the infinite subtleties of the poetry. And as with everything Strauss wrote for the voice, these songs aren't easy to sing, but Shafer didn't strain. She took their difficulties in stride and gave a glorious account that was heart wrenching and compelling at times.

Also on the program were a set of ballads by 20th century American composer and arranger John Jacob Niles and three songs by George Gershwin.