What's On

Speakers

Dr Nico de Villiers Royal Northern College of Music

About

As an important contributor to the arts in the United States during the first half of the twentieth century, Richard Hageman (1881–1966) is recognized as one of the Academy Award–winning film composers for John Ford’s Stagecoach (1939). While routinely referred to in the same context as Aaron Copland, Virgil Thomson, William Grant Still, and Erich Wolfgang Korngold in Hollywood, Hageman was also a celebrated pianist, coach, conductor, and composer of concert music. During his lifetime the gamut of singers of the day sang his songs, from opera stars Geraldine Farrar, Kirsten Flagstad, Lauritz Melchior, and Lawrence Tibbett and recital stalwarts Lotte Lehmann, Nan Merriman, and John McCormack to silver screen songbirds Jeanette MacDonald and Deanna Durbin. Later Kiri Te Kanawa, Thomas Hampson, and Roberta Alexander recorded some Hageman songs, but nowadays these songs remain generally unexplored. In Richard Hageman: The Becoming of a Song Composer, Nico de Villiers considers Hageman’s songs in depth from the unique perspective of an art song scholar and pianist. 

‘In our century, Richard Hageman is known throughout the vocal world for only one song. In this well-researched volume, Nico de Villiers corrects this injustice by passionately showing us the unknown, uncelebrated Hageman. Any serious fan of vocal repertoire will find this a treasure trove of information about this composer, his life, and his music.’

– Martin Katz, internationally acclaimed pianist and author 

‘The devoted expertise of Nico de Villiers will certainly excite singers, performers, and public alike to explore this extraordinary forgotten chapter of American creativity.’

– Thomas Hampson, world-renowned baritone 

The second lecture in the José and Rafton Smallwood Masterclass Series, led by David Owen Norris and Nico de Villiers, will follow in the Carole Nash Recital Room 7 – 8.30pm. 

Biography 

South African-born Dr Nico de Villiers is a pianist, coach, and researcher and is the Deputy Head of Vocal Studies at the Royal Northern College of Music. He holds degrees from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, the University of Michigan, and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Prior to his appointment at RNCM, Nico worked as vocal coach at various institutions including the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA), the Royal College of Music (London, UK), and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama (London, UK). 

Tickets
Free admission, no ticket required

This event will end at approximately 5.30pm.