Singing Grieg

At a recital by famed Norwegian soprano Marianne Hirsti sponsored by the Grieg society last fall, soprano Maria Jette came away wondering, “Why have I wasted so much time not singing Grieg songs?” Jette is now curating a Grieg minifestival that is part of this year’s St. Paul Summer Song Festival, sponsored by the Schubert Club. Hirsti herself will open the festival. Recitals by mezzo-soprano Vivica Genaux and tenor Anthony Dean Griffey and a joint recital by Jennifer Baldwin Peden and Christina Baldwin are other highlights.

In its fourth year, the festival, the brainchild of late Schubert Club executive director Bruce Carlson, has become a major summer classical music tradition. This year’s festival is something of a “retrenchment” says Jette in deference to Carlson’s passing, but it still maintains the tradition of presenting coveted international soloists along with the best local artists.

Genaux and Griffey are familiar to local audiences. She has made frequent appearances with the Minnesota Opera and will return this season as the title character in Rossini’s L’Italiana in Algeri. He has soloed with both the Minnesota Orchestra and Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. These recitals will be their respective debuts with the Schubert Club and are rare chances for audiences to hear a different side of their artistry.

But Grieg is the centerpiece of the festival, on the 100th anniversary of his death. “If you love glorious melody, Grieg is your guy,” Jette says. She has programmed four solo recitals at Landmark Center, featuring herself, tenor Dan Dressen, mezzo-soprano Janis Hardy, and baritone Peter Halvorson. Altogether, the minifestival will encompass the majority of Grieg’s song literature, which is definitely something to sing about. June 8–16. Various locations, 651-292-3268, schubert.org

Reach Randy Beard at randybeard @hotmail.com