Coplas

Gregg Smith’s setting of “Coplas” captures the light hearted, playful feeling of these verses, as a young man courts his beloved in this Mexican folk song. A solo soprano sings each four line verse which is separated from the next by a chorus of “Ai!” while the ensemble and solo piano provide a rhythmic and spirited accompaniment in keeping with the piece and suggesting a folk guitar. Gregg loved to challenge his singers and this piece is no exception as the soprano solo reaches into the very high upper register as the excitement builds in the final chorus. by Mary Elizabeth Poore