We are delighted to partner up with Art in Conversation to present a captivating vocal recital featuring the distinguished soprano Mădălina Stanand the esteemed pianist Lidia Butnariu. This thrilling evening for music lovers will showcase exquisite works from the Baroque and Classical repertoires, offering a rich tapestry of musical brilliance.
The programme brings together some of the most cherished arias and lieder by Mozart, Puccini, Rossini, Gounod, and Verdi, seamlessly flowing into the refined Impressionist elegance of Debussy and the unmistakable jazz-inflected rhythms of Gershwin. In addition, the recital will offer a fascinating exploration of Romania’s rich musical heritage, featuring works by celebrated composers George Enescu, Gherase Dendrino, and Călin Humă.
Both Mădălina Stan and Lidia Butnariu are widely acclaimed for their artistry and passion, captivating audiences with their expressive interpretations and technical mastery. This promises to be an unforgettable evening, celebrating the enduring beauty of vocal music spanning centuries and styles.
Programme:
Susanna - "Deh vieni non tardar", Le Nozze di Figaro – W.A. Mozart
Juliette - "Je veux vivre", Roméo et Juliette – Charles Gounod
Musetta - "Quando m’en vo", La Bohème – Giacomo Puccini
Rosina - "Una voce poco fa", Il Barbiere di Siviglia – Gioachino Rossini
"Clair de lune" – Claude Debussy (performed by Lidia Butnariu)
"Languir me fais"– George Enescu
"Prima iubire" / "The First Love" – Călin Humă
"Promenade" – George Gershwin (performed by Lidia Butnariu)
"The Man I Love – George Gershwin
Oscar - “Saper vorreste”, Un Ballo in Maschera – Giuseppe Verdi
Bertha - “Tu”, Lăsați-mă să cânt – Gherase Dendrino
BIOGRAPHIES
The vocal-symphonic concerts at the Romanian Athenaeum allowed soprano Mădălina Stan to stand out in her interpretation of renowned works under the baton of Maestro Cristian Mandeal (Mozart’s "Die Entführung aus dem Serail", Blonde) and Maestro Jin Wang ("Missa" by L. Bernstein). In 2007, she performed as a soloist in Bernstein's "Missa" within the George Enescu International Festival, in a concert conducted by Wayne Marshall. Alongside the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra, she took part in performances of Mozart's "The Impresario," Andrew Lloyd Webber’s "Requiem", and the concert opera "Un ballo in maschera" (Oscar) by Giuseppe Verdi. She made her debut as the storyteller in the opera "Il Retablo de Manuel" by Falla at the Radio Hall, under the baton of Adrian Morar. In 2012, she performed a concert of arias with the Sibiu Philharmonic, conducted by Iurie Florea, and a “Gershwin Evening” at the Romanian National Opera in Bucharest. She interpreted arias and duets at the Marcello Giordani Gala at the Bucharest National Opera, and the 2016-2017 season brought her a series of concerts, including Mozart’s "Requiem", a French music recital at the Romanian Athenaeum, the Opera Gala at the Bistrița Năsăud Cultural Palace, and the National Grand Lodge Awards Gala in Romania under the direction of Daniel Jinga. In January 2018, she performed in Giuseppe Verdi’s "Rigoletto", conducted by Maestro David Crescenzi at Radio Hall and in 2019, she sang the role of Ines in Verdi's "Il trovatore", also conducted by David Crescenzi. Scores such as Mozart’s "Exsultate Jubilate" (conducted by Alexandru Ganea) and Pergolesi's "Salve Regina" (under the musical direction of conductor Tiberiu Oprea) were performed with the Pitești Philharmonic. She also participated in the Classics for Pleasure Festival in Sibiu, which aims to promote Romania in the artistic, musical, and cultural fields. Between 2022 and 2024, soprano Mădălina Stan performed at the Romanian Athenaeum as part of the “Music for Everyone” project, at the Autumn Symphonies Festival, and Winchester University in the UK with a recital of arias, canzonets, and zarzuelas. She welcomed 2025 with a special concert alongside tenor Jonathan Tetelman, conductor Constantin Grigore, and the Pitești Philharmonic.
Pianist Lidia Butnariu graduated from the Faculty of Music Performance - Piano at the National University of Music Bucharest. She is also a graduate of advanced courses within the StudiOpera project, organised by the Romanian National Opera in Bucharest in partnership with Accademia Teatro alla Scala and SVASTA ICG Romania. Since 1992, she has been a faculty member at the National University of Music Bucharest, and between 2007-2019, she served as the official accompanist at the Romanian National Opera. She has held recitals and concerts both as a soloist and as an accompanying pianist in Bucharest, Brașov, Timișoara, Piatra Neamț, Sibiu, and Pitești. She has collaborated with conductors such as Jin Wang, David Crescenzi, Adrian Morar, and Iurie Florea. She was designated the official pianist for the master classes in Piatra Neamț in 2003, as part of the international project Rusalka, the Sibiu International Theatre Festival in 2004, and the Hariclea Darclee Competition (2010, 2012, 2015), as well as for the "The Magic Flute", "Don Giovanni", and "Missa Solemnis" organised by Tempus Collection. She has collaborated as an accompanying pianist with Viorica Cortez, Nelly Miricioiu, Marina Krilovici, Eduard Tumagian, Mariana Nicolesco, and Maria Diaconu. She participated in the musical preparation of the musical "The King and I" by Richard Rodgers and the opera "Belisario" by G. Donizetti, both presented as national premieres during the exams of the opera class students at the National University of Music Bucharest.
When: 29 Apr 2025, 19:00 – 21:00
Where:Romanian Cultural Institute, 1 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PH, UK
