Classically-trained actor and singer Raguel Gabriel will stage his first fully-classical vocal recital entitled Schwanengesang (The Swan Song) on June 12.

Accompanied by pianist and Westbeth NYC artist Dr Jeffrey Middleton (The Juilliard School and Yale School of Music), the 50-minute, online stream will take place at 8 pm, live from the Merkin Hall at the Kaufman Music Center in the centre of the New York City’s performing arts district.

Gabriel is currently based in New York and had been working with Middleton as his vocal coach and creative collaborator before the covid19 pandemic hit the United States. This recital marks his return to performing and is the first of many artistic projects that will be executed under his company, RTG Productions, a media release said.

Equally passionate about music and drama, Gabriel describes himself as a “singing actor.” Over the years, he has portrayed princes, romantic leads and anti-heroes, but for Schwanengesang, the role will demand a new level of emotional commitment and expression that he considers a milestone of his career on stage, the release said.

The collection of all 14 short songs within the Schwanengesang song cycle was brought to life by the late classical and early romantic-era Austrian composer, Franz Schubert. It was written in 1828, and published in 1829, just a few months after the composer's death – his final "swan song" to the classical music world.

In an interview with arts marketing agency Black Collar Creative, Gabriel said, "It is said that swans sing the most beautifully before they die. Schubert's publisher named his last set of music after his most beautiful melodies, which were also Schubert’s last.”

While preparing for the recital, Gabriel found synchronicities between the dark, haunting melodies of Schubert's work and his own personal longing, being so far from home with the looming possibility of never being able to return to Trinidad due to the covid19 pandemic. He described the musical journey as intense preparation for an intense role.

“The songs to me are about this young man he leaves home; leaves his love and begins to question his departure,” Gabriel said.

“Nature keeps pushing him forward; there are a lot of references to nature in these pieces. There is a lot of pressure on him, he questions whether to go back, but remembers his broken heart and decides, ‘that’s the reason that I left, I’m not going back’,” he said.

With Schwanengesang, Gabriel promises to deliver an emotional, intimate performance under the spotlight.

“Coming on stage after two years was a gift to me as well. I need a stage,” Gabriel said. “I need to look out there and sing like there’s really an audience there in front of me.”

The recital is dedicated to the people of Trinidad and Tobago, and all are invited to tune in to the free stream. Free, online tickets for the recital will be available from the Events & Tickets section of kaufmanmusiccenter.org.

[caption id="attachment_894898" align="alignnone" width="600"] Raguel Gabriel[/caption]

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