British Inspirations behind Music from Distant Lands
Cathleen McGowan, Soprano
Recorded Piano Accompaniments by Scott Crowne
April 22, 2023
St. Helena’s, Austerfield, Doncaster
“Sumer is icumen in!” English, Trad. (c. 1260)
“Fine al rito…Ah bello, a me ritorna” Vincenzo Bellini
from Norma (1801–1835)
Two Yorkshire Folksongs* English, Trad.
- Hear the Nightingales Sing arr. Scott Mohnkern
- The Lyke Wake Dirge (b. 1967)
“Al Dolce Guidami” Gaetano Donizetti
from Anna Bolena (1797-1848)
From Proses Lyriques , L. 90 (84) A. Claude Debussy
II. de Grève (1862-1918)
III. de Fleurs
“Regnava nel silenzio…Quando rapito in estasi” Gaetano Donizetti
from Lucia di Lammermoor (1797-1848)
—-Intermission——-
“Den teuren zu versöhnen” Friedrich von Flotow
from Martha (1812-1883)
From Six Elizabethan Songs Dominick Argento
III. Winter (1927-2019)
VI. Hymn
“Vien diletto è in ciel la luna” Vincenzo Bellini
from I Puritani (1801-1835)
Two Puritan Songs* Scott Mohnkern
- The Four Elements (b. 1967)
- Bradford Blues
*World Premiere Compositions
Special thanks to our family in England: The Todkills, Taylors, and Parkins. And to my wonderful husband Richard Taylor. Thanks to Kay Beckett, St. Helena’s, and to you, who made this concert possible.
Soprano Cathleen McGowan is known for her warm tone, broad range, and versatility. She’s a skilled actor who “Morphs into each character she portrays, with heartfelt and inspiring depth.” She performs opera, art song, jazz, musical theater, and world music and has performed with world class symphonies.
Opera roles include Königin der Nacht in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte and Nedda in Leoncavallo’s I Pagliacci. Chiefly a recitalist, Cathleen presents in depth programs marrying art and scholarly research.
A master’s level teacher, she teaches voice and visual art. She instructs all ages, styles, and genres, and loves to help students find their own unique voices. Lessons are offered worldwide online or in person in the Gettysburg area. Cathleen also teaches with Crowne Voice Studio. She is a student of Maria Russo.
Cathleen is also an accomplished visual artist. She resides in the Gettysburg, Pennsylvania area of the U.S. with her husband, cat, and one of the world’s most diverse gardens.
Composer Scott Mohnkern started his music career studying piano at the young age of 6, under the tutelage of his Grandmother, a concert pianist and church organist. He obtained degrees in piano, voice, composition, and conducting from Beloit College. He left his music career behind to engage on other pursuits. These arrangements and original compositions mark Scott’s return to the domain of music. They were created specifically for this concert at St. Helena’s Church in Austerfield, UK.
Scott would like to thank Cathleen, his grandmother, all of his teachers, professors, and his wife Shelly, as he re-embarks on his musical pursuits.