Larisa Martinez at Segerstrom Concert Hall

Larisa Martínez, soprano
Kamal Khan, piano

Pre-concert lecture at 2pm

TOSTI: "Ridonami la calma"
BELLINI: "Malinconia, ninfa gentile"
BELLINI: "Ma rendi pur contento"
ROSSINI: "La danza"
BRAHMS: Intermezzo Op. 118, No. 2
SCHUBERT: "Nacht und Träume"
BRAHMS: "Botschaft"
CHOPIN: Nocturne in E-flat major, Op. 9, No. 2
MASSENET: "Adieu, notre petite table" from Manon
VERDI: "Sempre libera" from La Traviata
DELIBES: "Les Filles Des Cadix"
VILLA-LOBOS: "Melodia Sentimental"
BRAGA: "São João Da Ra Rão"
FIGUEROA: "Madrugada"
FIGUEROA: "Ojo de Agua"
FIGUEROA: "Mi Rancho"
FIGUEROA: "Vida Criolla"
LECUONA: "Maria La O"
BERNSTEIN: West Side Story Medley

Known for her radiant voice and deeply expressive artistry, acclaimed soprano Larisa Martínez takes listeners on a journey of passion, poetry, and vibrant musical storytelling as this program explores love in all its forms, from quiet reflection to exuberant celebration.

The recital begins with the lyrical beauty of European art song, where composers such as Francesco Paolo Tosti, Vincenzo Bellini, Franz Schubert, and Johannes Brahms capture moments of longing, tenderness, and dreamlike serenity. Interwoven piano works by Johannes Brahms and Frédéric Chopin add shimmering nocturnal beauty. The emotional intensity rises with opera’s most dramatic voices. Heartbreak unfolds in Jules Massenet’s poignant aria from Manon, while the electrifying “Sempre libera” from Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata bursts with virtuosic brilliance. The sparkling wit of Léo Delibes’ “Les Filles de Cadix” brings playful charm and fiery Spanish flair.

In the second half, the program travels to the Americas with songs inspired by folk traditions and the landscapes of Latin America. Works by Francisco Antonio Ernani Braga and Heitor Villa-Lobos evoke memory, nature, and the rhythms of everyday life in their native Brazil, joined by a poignant song cycle by Narciso Figueroa (the "Father of the Modern Danzas") that celebrates Martinez’ Puerto Rican roots and cultural heritage.

The evening culminates with music from Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story, bringing Broadway energy and timeless romance to a thrilling close.

From intimate art song to operatic drama and Latin American color, this program celebrates the universal emotions that connect us all: love, longing, and the search for home.