January 30, 2004 -

Ottawa (Canada) - Thomas Hampson, the leading baritone of his generation, makes his National Arts Centre debut on Sunday, February 15 in songs by Hugo Wolf and Gustav Mahler. With his recital partner, pianist Craig Rutenberg, Hampson will perform two sets of lieder by Wolf to texts by Eduard Mörike and by Goethe, to honour the 100th centenary of the death of this Austrian composer renowned for bringing the expressive vocabulary of lied to new heights. Hampson will also perform Gustav Mahler's Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen (Songs of a Wayfarer) to texts he wrote himself, plus an additional set of Mahler songs to texts by Friedrich Rückert.

This NAC Great Performers recital takes place on Sunday, February 15 at 14:00 in the afternoon in Southam Hall. The recital was postponed from November 24 when the baritone was obliged to cancel due to illness. Tickets from that concert may be used for the concert of February 15.

"Singers as distinguished in song as in opera are comparatively rare, and few are more distinguished than Thomas Hampson. His lyric baritone is one of the most beautiful instruments in the world today..." - The Times, London. One of today's most respected and sought-after soloists, Thomas Hampson has been recognised for his versatility and innovative interpretations. The breadth of his achievements encompasses opera, song, recording, research and pedagogy leading to an international career that has taken him to all the world's most prestigious stages and concert halls.

One of the most prolific and diversely recorded artists of his time, Hampson's discs appear on all major labels. Almost all of his recordings have received the rewards of the industry, including the Gold Medal from the International Gustav Mahler Society. The album Tannhauser (Teldec), conducted by Daniel Barenboim, won the Grammy Award 2002 for Best Opera Recording. He has received several designations as Singer of Year from the Classical Music Awards, Musical America and EMI, as well as the esteemed Toblacher Prize for his recent Mahler recordings.

Pianist Craig Rutenberg, "whose playing ranged from sterling directness to expansive beauty," (San Francisco Chronicle) has collaborated with many of the world's greatest vocalists and is recognized as one of the most distinguished accompanists on the stage today.

Having studied with John Wustman, Geoffrey Parsons and Pierre Bernac, Mr. Rutenberg has appeared in recital with Denyce Graves, Sumi Jo, Harolyn Blackwell, Susanne Mentzer, Frederica von Stade, Angelika Kirchschlager and Dawn Upshaw, and frequently with Thomas Hampson, Ben Heppner and Jerry Hadley as well as Olaf Baer, Simon Keenlyside and Stanford Olsen. He has performed at the White House with Mr. Hampson.

DETAILED PROGRAMME FOR SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15 AT 14:00:

WOLF
Lieder nach Texten von Eduard Mörike
Der Genesene an die Hoffnung
In der Frühe
Um Mitternacht
Fußreise
Der Tambour
Auf einer Wanderung
Im Frühling

MAHLER
Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen
Wenn mein Schatz Hochzeit macht
Ging heut' morgen übers Feld
Ich hab' ein glühend Messer
Die zwei blauen Augen

WOLF
Lieder nach Texten von J.W. v. Goethe
Harfenspieler I: "Wer sich der Einsamkeit ergibt"
Harfenspieler II: " An die Türen will ich schleichen"
Harfenspieler III: "Wer nie sein Brot mit Tränen aß"

MAHLER
Lieder nach Texten von Friedrich Rückert
Blicke mir nicht in die Lieder
Ich atmet' einen linden Duft
Um Mitternacht
Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen

Tickets for this Great Performers recital featuring baritone Thomas Hampson and pianist Craig Rutenberg on February 15 are on sale now at $25.00, $39.00, 41.00, $49.00 and 51.00, with box seats at $60.50 (GST and Facility Fee included) at the NAC Box Office (Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 21:00), and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at 613-755-1111. Ticketmaster may also be accessed through the NAC's web-site at www.nac-cna.ca. Half-price tickets for students in all sections of the hall are on sale in person at the NAC Box Office upon presentation of a valid student ID card.

For more information please contact:
Jane Morris, Communications Officer,
National Arts Centre Orchestra
(613) 947-7000, ext. 335
jmorris@nac-cna.ca