Amy Petrongelli (Submitted photo)
The University of Georgia’s Hugh Hodgson School of Music Faculty Artist Series continues with soprano Amy Petrongelli presenting “Affect/Effect: Influence in Song” with pianist Blair Salter.
This recital of arts songs includes works from the Romantic era as well as contemporary composers, including several women composers.
The recital will be Feb. 13 at 7:30 p.m. in Ramsey Concert Hall at the UGA Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $12 for adults or $3 with a valid student ID. Tickets can be purchased online at music.uga.edu or by calling 706-542-4400.
“Affect/Effect is an exploration of the many different influences found in song, whether it be poetic influences, musical influences or the influence we have on one another,” said Petrongelli.
This recital includes works from composers of the past and present, featuring songs by both celebrated and lesser known composers, including Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel, Clara Schumann, Alberto Ginastera and Margaret Bonds.
Petrongelli and Salter have been working together professionally since 2014, when they first met while in school at the University of Michigan. The duo specializes in championing works by female-identifying composers and contemporary song.
“Working with Blair is the true definition of collaboration. Her musicianship is unparalleled, and it’s always a joy to bring songs to life with her,” said Petrongelli. “Blair and I really had fun putting together the repertoire for this recital and exploring all the different ways in which influence can affect us. We even discovered several songs that were new to us that we’re excited to share with the audience.”
Lauded in the New York Times for her “admirable fluidity,” Petrongelli’s diverse performance career embraces both traditional and contemporary vocal repertoire. She has been a featured performer for organizations such as the Five Boroughs Music Festival, the Casement Fund Recital Series and the Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival and has collaborated with members of Eighth Blackbird, Bent Frequency, Alarm Will Sound, Metropolis Ensemble and Latitude 49.
Petrongelli is the vocalist and a founding member of Khemia Ensemble, an ensemble dedicated to reflecting diverse perspectives in contemporary classical chamber music. She is also the director of the Vocal Academy at the Collaborative Piano Institute, held each summer in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Petrongelli is an assistant professor of voice in the Hugh Hodgson School of Music, having previously taught at Baylor University, Penn State University and Eastern Michigan University.
Canadian collaborative pianist Blair Salter is a versatile performer and music director who has worked at opera companies throughout North America. Salter is currently the music director for opera theatre at Penn State University, the assistant chorus master at Santa Fe Opera and a conductor with the Dallas Opera’s Hart Institute for Women Conductors 2023. She has previously worked as music staff at San Francisco Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Opera Colorado, Michigan Opera Theatre, New Orleans Opera and the CoOPERAtive Program. She is a graduate of the Houston Grand Opera Studio, the Merola Program, Wolf Trap Opera and the Glimmerglass Festival. An advocate of new music, Salter is the creator of the contemporary aria database Voce Moderna. She completed her DMA at the University of Michigan, where she studied with Martin Katz.
