Holl to perform Schubert classic

A privileged crowd had the chance to see soprano Dawn Upshaw's artist recital performance last year, but ever since, no guest vocalists have entered Finney Chapel. Here to break in the 1998 spring season is acclaimed bass-baritone Robert Holl, who visits the Chapel for a matinee performance this Sunday.

With over a dozen recordings to date, featuring lieder from Schubert to Schmidt, Holl has earned a full career's worth of experience in his 50-year life span of musical dedication. Earning such honors as "KammersŠnger" in Vienna and first prize at 's-Hertogenbosch's 1971 International Vocal Competition, the singer is well-accomplished the world over.

Holl generally performs selections from the romantic era, which is particularly rich in German lieder. However, he is also a proficient opera performer, recitalist, and orchestra soloist. Just one landmark in his orchestral career will take place later this year: Holl is due to perform in Chicago under Barenboim's direction for Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 and its glorious fourth movement of chorale.

The singer underwent a serious education in music before breaking his way into the professional field. Holl studied with Hans Hotter in Munich, under whose instruction he won First Prize in that city's International Competition. Holl also triumphed as a three year member of Munich's Bayrische Staatsoper.

Sunday, Holl will be accompanied by pianist James Howsmon, assistant professor of Instrumental Accompanying. Howsman leads a busy life at Oberlin, but also has many international competitions and achievements under his belt. Howsmon has recorded for Numerica Edition, Ltd., and last year served as a judge for the Fischoff Chamber Music Company, and a panelist at MTNA National Convention. Additionally, somehow, Howsmon finds time teaching master classes regularly at the Cleveland Institute of Music.

Both performers are extremely accomplished in their field, but Sunday will see the meshing of an Oberlin-native with the best of Munich and beyond. Sunday's performance is of Schubert's song cycle Die Schöne Mülerin; be prepared for an encore.

Robert Holl, accompanied by James Howsmon, will perform Sunday, March 1 in Finney Chapel at 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 and $12 OCID, $16 and $14 for staff and senior citizens, and $18 and $16 for the public.

Smiling away: Robert Holl performs this Sunday (photo courtesy of Artist Recital Series)