Measha Brueggergosman, soprano November 10, 2010

Soprano Measha Brueggergosman, known for the tremendous range of her projects, dynamic artistic personality and collaborations with Michael Tilson Thomas and Gustavo Dudamel, makes her SF Performances debut with the program from her lately released album, "Night and Dreams," with pianist Justus Zeyen. She calls the program "languid, sexy, romantic," and its layered tone makes for a beautiful, deeply satisfying musical journey. She brings it to the Herbst Theatre Wednesday, Nov. 10 at 8 p.m.

"We started by reading tons and tons of poetry," Brueggergosman says of the choosing the repertoire for the album, which includes songs by Schubert, Turina, Duparc and more. "We also wanted it to be seamless, start-to-finish, regardless of composer. Sometimes recordings are more composer-driven, and we wanted it atmosphere-driven, representing a feeling or a style or an idea or a philosophy."

The atmosphere is palpable in this program, which also showcases Brueggergosman's lustrous voice and charismatic musicality. Although she sings opera-roles have included Sister Rose in Jake Heggie's Dead Man Walking-and symphonies, Brueggergosman maintains a devoted exploration of Lieder repertoire.

"The song recital is kind of like coming into people's living rooms, and you and engage in a personal voyage with them," she says. "It's the way the music was intended to be performed-in someone's house, essentially. I love the intimacy of the song recital. I love the mini-dramas, the stories that take such a little time to tell. In three or four minutes you can go through the start, middle and finish of a relationship, a life, of any instance."

Audiences can join in the personal voyage with this vibrant, important artist who takes the stage barefoot and ushers listeners into a world of blissful music-making. Tickets are $60, $50 and $40. Visit sfperformances.org or call 415.392.2545 for more information.

Official Website: http://www.sfperformances.org