NIKOLOVSKA – KNUTSON: LES BONNES CHANSONS

PROGRAMME

Gabriel Fauré (1845–1924): La bonne chanson, Op.61 (1892–94)

I. Une Sainte en son aureole

II. Puisque l’aube grandit

III. La Lune blanche luit dans les bois

IV. J’allais par des chemins perfides

V. J’ai presque peur, en verite

VI. Avant que tu ne t’en ailles

VII. Donc, ce sera par un clair jour d’ete

VIII. N’est-ce pas?

IX. L’Hiver a cesse

Johannes Brahms (1833–1897): Zwei Gesänge für eine Altstimme mit Bratsche und Klavier,

I. Gestillte Sehnsucht. Adagio espressivo (1884)

II. Geistliches Wiegenlied. Andante con moto (1863–64)

Antonín Dvořák (1841–1904): V národním tónu (In Folk Tone), Op.73 (1886)

I. Dobrú noc, má mila / Good night, my darling. Lento

II. Žalo dievča, žalo trávu / When a maiden was a-mowing. Allegretto grazioso

III. Ach, není, není tu, co by mě těšilo / There’s nothing to enjoy. Andante

IV. Ej, mám já koňa faku / I have a faithful mare. Allegretto

Claude Debussy (1862–1918): Troi Chansons de Bilitis (1897–98)

I. La flûte de Pan

II. La chevelure

III. Le tombeau des naïades 

Performers:

Ema Nikolovska — mezzo-soprano 

Cole Knutson — piano 

Pablo Hernán Benedí — violin & viola

Anna Molinari — violin

Oscar Holch — viola

Indira Rahmatulla — violoncello 

© Kaupo Kikkas

Macedonian-Canadian mezzo-soprano Ema Nikolovska began her musical journey as a violinist, and it is with a sense of innate musicianship that sees her embody characters musical and operatic “with poise and impact” (Opera Today). She is an Alumna of the International Opera Studio at the Deutsche Staatsoper Berlin, where in 2023 she made her role debut as Octavian in “Der Rosenkavalier”. In the 2023/24 season, Ema made her house and role debut as the Fox in Janáček’s “The Cunning Little Vixen” at the Canadian Opera Company, and her debut at the Royal Opera House’s Linbury Theatre singing the lead role in George Benjamin’s “Picture a Day Like This”. In concert, she recently made her debut in Japan singing Mozart arias with the NHK Symphony and Petr Popelka, and already a celebrated recitalist, Ema has partnered in recent seasons with Martha Argerich, Sir András Schiff, Charles Richard-Hamelin and Sean Shibe.

© Annemone Taake

Celebrated for his “mastery of the art of playing with lightness and finesse, his sensitivity of touch, and intensity,” Métis-Canadian pianist Cole Knutson is an accomplished recitalist who has appeared at leading venues such as Carnegie Hall, Pierre Boulez Saal, Berlin Konzerthaus, Salle Bourgie, and Salle Cortot. Most recently, he and duo partner Jeeyoung Lim were awarded First Prize at the 2025 Lyon International Chamber Music Competition. His accolades include a full scholarship to the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and support from the Sylva Gelber Music Foundation, Métis Nation Saskatchewan, Gabriel Dumont Institute, SK Arts, the Guildhall Trust, and the Art Song Foundation of Canada. His flourishing career has been shaped by residencies at the Musée d’Orsay and participation in SongStudio at Carnegie Hall, the Académie Royaumont, and the Liedakademie Heidelberger Frühling. Notable artistic influences include Julius Drake, Eugene Asti, Wolfram Rieger, Graham Johnson, Rudolf Piernay, Thomas Hampson, and Renée Fleming. coleknutson.com

© Verena Chen

Pablo Hernán Benedí was born in 1991 in Madrid. He studied violin at the Antonio Soler Conservatory in San Lorenzo de El Escorial with Polina Kotliarskaya and at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama with David Takeno and András Keller. In 2010, Pablo became a member of the Chiaroscuro Quartet. The Quartet’s debut recording was released in 2011 to critical acclaim. As a soloist, Pablo has appeared with orchestras like the Philarmonia Orchestra, London Mozart Players and Concerto Budapest.