Anthony Roth Costanzo, countertenor 

Bryan Wagorn, piano
NEC's Jordan Hall

“Super-cool, multi-talented and dauntlessly adventurous American countertenor” (The Telegraph) Anthony Roth Costanzo returns to Boston for an all-new recital program with pianist Bryan Wagorn.

Costanzo's selections span 250 years of music history, and show off the range of his artistry. Vocal fireworks of the Italian Baroque pair with works by contemporary composers. In the second half, art songs by Verdi give way to unforgettable interpretations of pop standards and Broadway selections made famous by Barbra Streisand. 

A recent Grammy Award winner for his fearless and stunning portrayal of the title character in Philip Glass’ Akhnaten, Anthony Roth Costanzo has drawn public and critical acclaim for his unforgettable performances and the brilliance, power, and agility of his voice.  

Costanzo’s recital, a new program for the upcoming season, promises dramatic commitment and incisive characterizations; “very few singers can bring such high-caliber acting to a concert appearance,” wrote Opera News. 

Costanzo has been a frequent and welcome presence on Boston stages in recent seasons, starring in concert and semi-staged opera presentations from nearly opposite ends of the concert repertoire. He has taken the title role with Boston Baroque in Handel’s Amadigi and appeared at Jordan Hall with Odyssey Opera / Boston Modern Orchestra Project as Dionysus, the central figure in John Corigliano’s The Lord of Cries, a story that overlays the story of Euripides’ The Bacchae on Bram Stoker’s Dracula. The recording was nominated for a 2024 Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording.

Canadian pianist Bryan Wagorn, an assistant conductor at the Metropolitan Opera and a sought-after collaborative pianist and vocal coach, makes his Celebrity Series debut alongside Costanzo.  

Program

Two sets of music, with one intermission

Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)

Gelido in ogni vena
Sento in seno che in pioggia di lagrime
Qual doppo lampi e turbini 
Vedro con mio diletto

Gabriela Lena Frank (b. 1972)

El Ribelde 
Eufemia 
En la Vela del Angelito

Joel Thompson (b. 1988)

The Places We Leave (written with United States Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith)

Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901)

Deh Pietoso, oh addolorato 
In solitaria stanza 
Non t’accostare all’urna 
Stornello 
“Ave Maria” from Otello

The Songs of Barbra Streisand

“My Man” from Funny Girl (Yvain/Charles/Willemetz/Pollock)
“Sam, You Made the Pants Too Long” (Whitehouse/Berle/Lewis/Young)
“Much More” from The Fantasticks (Jones/Schmidt)
“He Touched Me" from Drat! The Cat! (Schafer/Levin, originally "She Touched Me")
“Happy Days Are Here Again” (Ager/Yellen)

“Vocally brilliant and dramatically fearless ”

The New York Times

NEC's Jordan Hall Venue Information

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