Martial Singher coaches "Robert, toi que j'aime"
Accompanist: James Massengale
From Robert le Diable by Giacomo Meyerbeer (1831)
Libretto by Eugène Scribe and Casimir Delavigne after the medieval legend
Archive video from THE FESTIVAL OF LEARNING AND PERFORMING, c. 1978

Robert, you, whom I love, to whom I gave my faith,
You see my terror.
Have mercy on yourself, and mercy on me!
What? Does your heart abandon its sweetest vows?
You paid homage to me. Now I am at your knees.
Robert, you, whom I love, to whom I gave my faith,
You see my terror.
Have mercy on yourself, and mercy on me!

Exsultate! Productions is proud to host the video archives of the FESTIVAL OF LEARNING AND PERFORMING. The Festival was created in the early 1970's by Susan Brenner to give young singers the opportunity to work with master artists, and apply their knowledge by performing in the community. Classes were open to the public and encompassed the interpretation of opera, art song, operetta and musical theater, as well as movement and physical conditioning. Classes with Charles Roe, Calvin Simmons, and Martial Singher were videotaped for the Festival's archives, allowing new audiences to be inspired and enriched by the great teaching that is the legacy of Susan Brenner.

Martial Singher (1904-1990) debuted at the Paris Opera in 1930, and at the Metropolitan Opera in 1943, where Virgil Thomson wrote of his "incomparable elegance" and "perfection of vocal style." He sang for 12 seasons at the Met, also appearing with the opera companies of Chicago and San Francisco, with leading orchestras, and in recital. He taught at Mannes College of Music, the Curtis Institute, and Music Academy of the West, and received the order of Chevalier of the French Legion of Honor. In 1983 he published "An Interpretive Guide to Operatic Arias."

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