Lyrics by Désirée Regina and Music by Margaret Brandman

Listen to "Do you remember?"

Listen to "Catch Me If You Can "

These songs are in mp3 format. Right click and choose "save target as..."

This recently composed cycle of six songs is available on CD with performances by lyricist and mezzo soprano Désirée Regina and the composer Margaret Brandman on piano. The recording of the music is available either singly or as part of a CD and sheet music pack. Désirée Regina has been called by Le Figaro "Sparkling and genuinely breathtaking" At the age of 12, Désirée won a major European prize for her poem 'The Old Oak'. She has since gone on to writing many lyrics for songs and musical shows. She is one of the infamous Duelling Sopranos and has performed worldwide with various award winning shows from The Phantom of the Opera in Europe to Ephimera in the Sydney Opera House. Désirée is a Mezzo Soprano with a Bachelor of Music, a Master is Singing Performance and a PostGrad in Opera.

Order Numbers: Songs of Love and Desire - Book MMP 8040 Songs of Love and Desire - CD MMP 8041 Songs of Love and Desire - Book and CD pack MMP 8052

Songs of Love and Desire has been listed in the  ANZCA Classical Singing syllabus.

Grade Eight;  Catch Me If You Can, Don't Flee From Me Secrets of a Trembling Passion

Associate Diploma;  Desire, Do You Remember?  In Only One Glance

" When I was looking for a work for solo performance special study for year 12 Dvorak's Gipsy Songs were originally suggested. However when I listened to them I knew that I would not be able to enjoy learning and performing them. My singing teacher Beverly Peart showed me her copy of Songs of Love and Desire, and I listened to the CD while sight singing and knew immediately that it was what I wanted to perform.

The song cycle presented me with a challenge, and fitted my range perfectly. While enjoying the works my technical ability increased dramatically, and they have offered many opportunities for great interpretation. The lyrics are beautiful and the music is fantastic and unique. They work together to create the song cycle that I have found to be a joy to perform.  

I also obtained one of your aural books, and it has been a great help, especially for rhythm.   " Thank you for all of your support Amy Iveson (HSC student) Adelaide July 2005

 

Notes on the songs in the cycle

1. "Secrets of a trembling passion" This is a dramatic song in a minor key, in which the lover feels an internal duel between fleeing and longing

2. "Desire" This song reflect the lover waking up in the morning in the glow of love. It is a more lyrical and ambient song, using more major harmonies

3. "Do you remember?" This song has a haunting modal melody. The lovers muse on beautiful moments together in the twilight

4. "Catch me if you can" This is a more rhythmic song beginning in a major key, with a contrasting minor section where the voice accompanies the piano solo. The light and breezy mood captures the elation of the lovers

5. "Don't flee from me" This song is the most operatic of the collection. It is in a similar minor key to the first song. Here the singer asks her lover not to leave her in sorrow.

6. "In only one glance" In this final song, the lover recognises her soul mate in one brief glance and realises their eternal connection.

an example page, click to see larger version