Tonya Jones’ Senior Soprano Recital

On Saturday Nov. 3, Tonya Jones began her Senior Recital with all of her close friends, family, and mentors gathered in Pealer Recital Hall to enjoy the performance. Jones, a soprano, was accompanied on piano by Frostburg Lecturer, Joseph Yungen, during her recital. She began in French singing, “Mai” composed by Gabriel Fauré, a song described as being, “richly expressive is one of the most expressive and moving in the entire repertoire (Fauré’s collection).” She continued on to “Ici Bas,” also composed by Fauré and translating to “Down Here.” Then, switching to German, she sang, “Wie Melodien zieht es mir,” composed by Johannes Brahms. Translating to “Like Melodies, It Pulls Me,” this was a piece that describes the beauty of words and how they can affect our thoughts.

With another change of language, Jones began to sing, in Italian, “O del mio amato ben,” composed by Stefano Donaudy. The English translation meaning “Oh, Lost Enchantment of my Dearly Beloved,” this song is a beautiful aria that never appeared in an opera. Next, Jones sang “Spirate pur, Spirate,” also composed by Donaudy, meaning “Breathe Still, Breath.” This piece is about someone asking for their love to be blessed. Being performed with a light and hopeful tone, it is a piece of grace. Continuing on, Jones sang “Sento nel core,” composed by Alessandro Scarlatti and translating to “I Feel in My Heart.”

The next piece was from the opera Gli zingari in fiera, no. 3, or The Gypsies at the Fair. The piece named “Chi vuol la zingarella” was composed by Giovanni Paisiello and translates to “Who Desires the Gypsy Girl.” Jones ended the first half  by singing “Sebben, crudele” from the opera La costanza in amor vince l’inganno, also meaning “Though Not Deserving” from opera Faithfulness in Love Conquers Treachery, all composed by, Antonio Caldara. It was a beautiful end to the first half of this senior recital.

Throughout intermission, the audience was a constant murmur of compliments and praise. Jones’ friends and family were full of pride for her, and everyone was in awe of Tonya’s performance. She returned to a round of applause and three selections from Enrique Granados: “Amor y Odio,” “El majo timido,” and “el mirar de la maja,” translating to “Love and Hate,” “A Timid Man,” and “The Gaze of the Beloved.” The last of the foreign language arias.

She began the last songs of her senior recital with “Angels Ever Bright and Fair,” from Theodora, and composed by George Frideric Handel. In this song, Theodora is pleading to angels to take her now to death before she ruins herself in the eyes of the Lord. Jones continues with “Into the Night” by Clara Edwards, and followed with “When I have Sung My Songs” by Ernest Charles. The last two songs before the finale were “O Waly, Waly” and “Come You Not from Newcastle?,” both by Benjamin Britten. With the final piece, Jones performed her grandmother’s favorite, “Meadowlark” from The Baker’s Wife by Stephen Schwartz. With her family in tears of joy and her friends in awe, Jones exited the stage to a standing ovation. The Bottom Line wishes Jones luck in her pursuit to become a music educator and inspire the younger generation.