Karen Cargill Extraordinary

Alma and Gustav Mahler, Lieder, K. Cargill, S. Lepper (Linn, 2014)

Charles T. Downey, A noteworthy D.C. debut by Karen Cargill
Washington Post, April 9

If you’ve never heard the name Karen Cargill, let this review be your notification.

The Scottish mezzo-soprano had a grand and long-overdue Washington debut recital Tuesday evening, presented in the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater by Vocal Arts D.C. The program of brooding Romantic music by Gustav and Alma Mahler, Richard Wagner and Edvard Grieg hit her commanding and disciplined voice in its sweet spot.

Asked in an interview last year why she’s singing so much Mahler, Cargill responded, “Well, it’s where my voice is at.” This was true on her recording of Gustav’s five “Rückert Lieder” and Alma’s “Fünf Lieder”... [Continue reading]

Karen Cargill, mezzo-soprano
Simon Lepper, piano
Vocal Arts D.C.
Kennedy Center Terrace Theater