REYNALDO HAHN, récital de chant lyrique

Through this two-part series, we will set out to discover a multifaceted instrument, from its origins to its most contemporary developments.

In the prestigious setting of the Hôtel de Wendel, Suren Shakhjijanyan’s vocal class presents a recital dedicated to Reynaldo Hahn, an emblematic figure of Parisian artistic life during the Belle Époque.

Born in Caracas in 1874 and arriving in Paris in his childhood, Hahn studied at the Conservatoire under Jules Massenet. A composer, singer, conductor, and music critic, he became one of the most distinctive personalities of artistic Paris in his era. His work, deeply bound to poetry and literature, spans art songs (mélodies), opera, operetta, and musical theater.

Close to many writers and artists of his day, Reynaldo Hahn nurtured a particularly intimate relationship with poetry. His music favors clarity in the vocal line, nuance in text interpretation, and subtle expressiveness, revealing a sensitivity that still defines the uniqueness of his melodies today.

Art songs, vocal ensembles, and excerpts from operettas make up a multifaceted program, fostering a dialogue between voice, poetry, and theater. Students will thus be invited to explore diverse colors of Hahn’s world, combining French elegance, lyricism, and theatrical spirit.