Assistant Professor of Voice
Vocal studies
Warmth, richness and clarity of tone coupled with sincere, expressive communication
of text distinguish the artistry of mezzo-soprano Martha J. Hart. Known for her stylistic
interpretation of music spanning the Baroque to contemporary, Ms. Hart has sung to
critical acclaim throughout North America and France.
Highly regarded for her performances of oratorio, art song and chamber music, Martha
has sung with the symphony orchestras of Montreal, Atlanta, Lansing, Phoenix, Grand
Rapids, Omaha and St. Louis, the Florida Orchestra, the Orchestra at Temple Square
and the Orchestra of St. Luke’s. Conductors with whom Ms. Hart has worked include
Helmuth Rilling, Simon Preston, Craig Jessop, and the late Robert Shaw. With Mr. Shaw
she performed Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis, Mozart’s Requiem, Berlioz’ L’enfance du Christ, and Copland’s In the Beginning. She recorded solos of the Brahms Liebeslieder Waltzes with the Robert Shaw Festival Singers and is a featured soloist on Schubert Songs for Male Chorus with the Robert Shaw Chamber Singers, both on the Telarc label. Other recordings
include music of Charles Ives with the St. Olaf Choir, Linn Records, and a solo CD
with pianist J.J. Penna titled Summer Journey: Songs of Darius Milhaud. In March of 2005, she made her solo debut performance at New York’s Carnegie Hall
singing the Duruflé Requiem.
As a recitalist, Ms. Hart is known for her imaginative programs combining poetry reading
and art song around a central theme. As one critic writes: “The program was charming, touching, and engaging, both in content and presentation.”
A versatile singer, Martha is part of the ensemble Three for the Road, a trio dedicated to the performance of American popular music from the 1930s and
‘40s. In addition to her performance credits, Martha is a respected vocal pedagogue and
is invited to present masterclasses at colleges and universities. She has served on
the faculties of Graceland University, The Ohio State University and the Bay View
Music Festival.
