PNW Kobzar Project in concert - "Solace on Rainy Days"

PNW Kobzar Project continues the authentic Ukrainian kobzar tradition of story telling via the language of music and art songs.

Kobzar (Ukrainian кобзар) literally means 'kobza player', a performer on Ukrainian stringed instrument of the lute family, and more broadly — a performer of the musical material associated with the kobzar tradition. The professional kobzar tradition was established during the Hetmanate Era around the sixteenth century in Ukraine. Kobzars accompanied their singing with a musical instrument known as the kobza, bandura, or lira. Their repertoire primarily consisted of para-liturgical psalms and "kanty", and also included a unique epic form known as dumas (Ukrainian equivalent of epic ballads, literal translated to English as “thoughts”).

Kobzardom in Ukraine is similar to Western European poet-musician tradition such as Celtic bards, Old Nord/Eddic scalds, French troubadours, and Greek kitharodes. In Ukraine the word kobzar is associated with the great national poet Taras Shevchenko who was greatly influenced by kobzar traditions. His most famous poetry collection is called Kobzar. Urkainians show Taras Shevchenko the deep respect to his contributions to Ukrainian language and literature by calling him Kobzar. In PNW Kobzar Project concerts, we will include art songs based on Taras Shevchenko’s lyrics as well as the instrumental chamber music inspired by his literary and artistic heritage.

In addition to artistic aspect, kobzars were also old Ukrainian tradition keepers and news spreaders while traveling town to town and village to village. They played the role of the social media independent from the state authorities. During the time of serf system introduced to Ukraine by the Russian Empire (1783 - 1861) kobzars were those few people in Ukraine who could travel and speak freely though both administrative state and religious authorities of the Russian Empire did everything possible to reduce the influence of kobzars.

Alexander R. Adams, bass - baritone,

BASS-BARITONE SINGER, COMPOSER, AND VOICE TEACHER

Alexander R Adams is a classically trained bass-baritone singer and voice teacher, born and raised in the Seattle area. He received his Master of Music from the University of Southern California and his Bachelor of Music from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington. Alexander's opera roles include King Balthazar in Amahl and the Night Visitors, Truffaldino in Ariadne auf Naxos, Publio in La clemenza di Tito, Minister in Iphigénie en Tauride, Mr. Plunkett/Judge in The English Cat, and Sprecher/Armored Man in Die Zauberflöte, and Sergeant of the Police in Pirates of Penzance. The latest engagement was the role of Doctor Bartolo in Le Nozze di Figaro at Vashon Opera.

In 2018 Alexander started a private voice studio where he currently teaches online lessons to students of a variety of ages and skill levels. Alexander is also a composer. His most recent project is a collection of art songs based on poems by Edgar Allan Poe.

Allison Pohl, soprano

Soprano Allison Pohl's vivacious stage presence and spirited singing have inspired enthusiastic responses across three continents. Her work has received positive reviews for her “sparkling voice” (outerstage.com) and “exuberant” performances (Opera News). Of her performance in L'elisir d'amore at Virginia Opera, The Washington Post wrote: “Allison Pohl stood out with a ripe, flavorful soprano and ample character.”

Allison has appeared with opera companies and orchestras throughout the United States, including Boston Lyric Opera, New York City Opera, Virginia Opera, Opera Saratoga, Tacoma Opera, Vashon Opera, Opera in the Heights, Opera Providence, Opera on the James, Seattle Symphony, Canton Symphony, Symphony Tacoma, Bremerton Symphony, Seattle Philharmonic, Garden State Philharmonic, Harmonia Seattle, and SkyOpera, and has been a soloist for orchestral tours in both Italy and China.

Upcoming engagements include Violetta in La Traviata at Opera Bend, Stella in A Streetcar Named Desire at Tacoma Opera, Tatyana in highlights from Eugene Onegin with SkyOpera, Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro at Vashon Opera, a solo recital in Freeport, New York, Handel’s Messiah with Symphony Tacoma, and several concerts curated by Maestro Keith Lockhart of the Boston Pops.

Favorite roles recently performed include both Countess and Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro, Tatyana in Eugene Onegin, Pamina in Die Zauberflöte, Adina in L’elisir d’amore, Blanche de la Force in Dialogues des Carmélites, Nannetta in Falstaff, Norina in Don Pasquale, Rosina in Il barbiere di Siviglia, Gretel in Hänsel und Gretel, Musetta in La Bohème, and Yum-Yum in The Mikado.

As a member of Soprello, Allison has performed chamber music across North America with cellist Alistair MacRae. She is a Seattle Opera Career Grant recipient, winner of the Seattle Philharmonic Concerto Competition, is on faculty at Brevard Music Center, and holds degrees from SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Music and Boston University.

Dilyara Oliver, piano

PIANIST AND MUSIC EDUCATOR

Dilyara Oliver is a classical pianist. She completed her training in Piano Performance at Kazakh National Conservatory. Then she attended University of New Orleans with a full merit-based scholarship, where she earned a Master of Music in Piano Performance degree.

Prior to her move to Olympia, WA in 2022, Dilyara was a faculty member at Loyola University New Orleans and New Orleans Center for Creative Arts. She also served as the president for the New Orleans Music Teachers Association. Her students have won city and state competitions, and have also performed with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra.

While in New Orleans, she has made guest appearances at the French Quarter Festival, Jazz and Heritage Festival, Snug Harbor, New Orleans Vocal Arts Chorale performances, MetroPelican Opera productions, Jefferson Performing Arts Society, Trinity Recital Series, Loyola Montage Series and others.

Refreshment available,

$0 for kids

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