SAMANTHA HANKEY, mezzo-soprano
MYRA HUANG, pianist
Dusky-voiced Samantha Hankey is a staple performer of German mezzo-soprano repertoire, recently portraying Octavian (Der Rosenkavalier) at the Metropolitan Opera for which she was cited by the New York Times as having “tireless energy and dramatic skill.” In the 2023–2024 season, Hankey made her debuts at the Royal Opera House as Dorabella (Così fan tutte), at Detroit Opera as the Fox (The Cunning Little Vixen), and at Lyric Opera of Kansas City for her role debut as Santuzza (Cavalleria Rusticana).
The cornerstone of Hankey’s program is Dichterliebe (A Poet’s Love) by Robert Schumann, a set of 16 cathartic songs that reflect on Schumann’s separation from his bride, Clara. This jewel of German lieder sits between Poulenc’s masterful 3 Chanson de Federico García Lorca and songs by Satie, Schönberg, Trenet, Weill, and Porter.
