Many of us perhaps know soprano Miriam Cauchi as a consummate operatic singer and fine recitalist who regularly commits herself to the demands of a vast and laudable repertoire.
It is interesting to hear about her latest project, one that will certainly offer something fresh and original to the local performing scene.
Returning to her roots, Cauchi embraces a collection of Maltese art songs out of which a CD recording titled Riflessi has been born.
Definitely another feather in her cap, but what is it that inspired Cauchi to take this bold step? Quite simply, she says: “It is interest and curiosity about our country and its fascinating language.
“Maltese art song is about our identity, what makes us truly Maltese.”
Clearly stimulated by the unparalleled use of Maltese language in song, Cauchi reassures that singing in Maltese also poses its challenges.
“Maltese language has its own unique and facinating sounds. I try to be faithful to the language as much as possible, sometimes prefering to sacrifice some of the beauty of the vocal line in order to do justice to the text,” she says.
And, it is indeed the text that is central in these art songs, not least for the composers who use it as their inspirational starting point.
The singer then undertakes the task of not only understanding the text as a poem but being able to deliver it convincingly through song.
With her highly-respectable attitude towards the learning process, Cauchi genuinely treats the original text as a box of jewels.
I also feel that the text is highlighted when it is transformed into a song
“Our rich language lends itself to a genre of high literary value. I also feel that the text is highlighted when it is transformed into a song. I wanted to share all this wealth with a wider audience.”
So much is owed to the handful of poets whose works serve as the initial artistic stimulus.
Many of these are influential literary figures on our island and include Joe Friġġieri, Achille Mizzi, Anton Buttiġieġ, Oliver Friġġieri, Trevor Zahra, Albert Marshall, Pietru Caxaro, J.J. Camilleri, Francesco Buonamico and Clare Azzopardi.
On a collaborative level, Cauchi has had the opportunity to meet and discuss the music with some of Malta’s leading composers, inevitably giving her a clearer insight into their works and style.
For Cauchi, the music is enriched through these relationships as she herself states that “it is a process of growth which starts from the moment you meet the composer for the first time, followed by the rehearsals, then the recording. It is a growth which the work undergoes and does not stop with each performance but takes it to different heights each time”.
The recording includes works by seven composers: Charles Camilleri, Joseph Vella, Christopher Muscat, Ruben Zahra, Alexander Vella Gregory, Véronique Vella and Philip Ciantar, all of whom Cauchi describes as “unique, with styles varying from the introspective and dark to the lighter and bubble, passionate and bold”.
Riflessi was launched last Friday at the Manoel Theatre in a performance that boasted a true celebration of Maltese artistry.
One soprano, 10 poets, seven composers, members of the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, musician friends and dancers shared the stage in a rich cultural experience.