On Monday, the 6^th of November 2023, the soprano Teodora Gheorghiu and the pianist Diana Ionescu will perform a recital at the Romanian Athenaeum, on the stage of the Great Hall, as part of the National Lied Tour held by the two musicians. We find out more information from the soprano Teodora Gheorghiuin a dialogue with Ioana Țintea.

Teodora Gheorghiu, on the 6^th of November, you will perform a lied recital with the pianist Diana Ionescu on the Romanian Athenaeum's stage. The event is part of the National Lied Tour, with works bythe composer Franz Schubert. Firstly, I would like you to tell us how this project began and in this formula!

The project was born out of an old wish of mine to perform a recital with Schubert's lied. I thought that we don't hear them that often, although everyone knows Schubert's lied. But a full programme, only made of a composer's lied, is less done.

Having worked with the pianist Diana Ionescu before, how would you describe your collaboration with her?

Diana Ionescu has been my friend for more than 20 years. We've sung a lot together; there is an artistic bondage between us and this project felt quite natural to us. We are very, very happy that it is eventually going to happen.

Coming back to the recital on the 6^th of November at the Romanian Athenaeum, you are going to perform Franz Schubert's most famous lied, such as An die Musik or Die Forelle. What was the thought process behind this choice for the capital's public?

To be honest, it was really difficult because among Schubert's lied, we could find material for 6-7 recitals. I've searched through and through, I thought about what works best for us, what suits our sensitivity and so I thought that the best way is to put together a programme with very well-known and well-loved lied, that is going to attract the public and make them want to listen to them in a full recital.

You've often turned your attention to the lied repertoire. From your perspective, how do you feel about the transition from opera or vocal-symphonic repertoire to a lied one?

The lied was, is, and will be my great love. The transition is more than natural, normal. I've always turned with great pleasure to the lied repertoire. I'm really happy about this recital!

How do you feel about metting the Romanian audience once again?

As per usual, I'm really nervous. I look forward to the audience, to come and listen to us. I guarantee that it's going to be an absolutely wonderful recital! We expect them to fill the concert hall.