Songs in Our Language: An Exploration of Identity, Expression, and Belonging

This recital by CSU faculty artists Nicole Asel, mezzo-soprano, John Lindsey, tenor, and Tim Burns, piano, brings together a tapestry of English-language song from both sides of the Atlantic, threading through the classical, the cabaret, the contemporary, and the theatrical. From the timeless poetry of Shakespeare set by Gerald Raphael Finzi, to the witty and poignant cabaret of Benjamin Britten, to American composers Robert Spillman and Steven Mark Kohn, Songs in Our Language reflects the power of song to connect us with our roots and with each other. In exploring these diverse musical styles, we reflect on the nuances of heritage, voice, and identity—and the many ways they shape the stories we tell through music.