The course involves study and performance of a variety of art songs in various styles and languages. Emphasis is placed on understanding and identifying with the text, on musical phrasing, correct diction, and sensitive interpretation. The course covers basic Lied literature in German, French, English (frequently other languages as well).

The first semester will focus on women composers – Clara Schumann, Fanny Mendelssohn-Hansel, Josephine Lang, Pauline Viardot-Garcia, Cecile Chaminade, Lili Boulanger, Rebbeca Clarke, Amy Beach, Julia Zenova, Prieaux Rainier, Joelle Wallach, Judit Lang Zaimont, Anna Rubin….

The second semester will embrace lieder of Schumann, Brahms, Wolf, Straus, Mahler, Faure, Debusy, Britten, Elgar, De Falla, Obradors, Granados, etc…with special attention to the great Lied cycles