American Songbook | Thomas Hampson
Rezital
Wednesday, 19. August 2026
7:30 p.m., Zweisimmen Church
The star baritone Thomas Hampson – Director of the Vocal Academy since 2026 – invites us to join him on a captivating musical journey into the America of the early twentieth century. It is a world where classical tradition and jazz converge, giving rise to a vibrant and evocative soundscape shaped by towering musical personalities. Hampson brings this repertoire to life with unmatched stylistic finesse, illuminating its richness, depth, and unmistakable spirit. Through the Hampsong Foundation, established in 2003, he is also passionately committed to championing the art of classical song as a cultural bridge – connecting people across generations and fostering dialogue through music. And with the United States celebrating the 250th anniversary of its independence in 2026, there is all the more reason to revel in the musical and cultural diversity of this remarkable nation!
Thomas Hampson, Baritone
Jacques Ammon, Piano
| I. BECOMING MODERN 1900-1920 | |
| America discovers its voice | |
| Jerome Kern (1885–1945) | |
| «They Didn’t Believe Me» aus «The Girl from Utah» (1914) | |
| Irving Berlin (1888–1989) | |
| «When I Leave the World Behind» (1915) | |
| Cole Porter (1891–1964) | |
| «Bring Back My Butterfly» aus «See America First» (1916) | |
| II. THE JAZZ AGE 1920-1929 | |
| The World Learns to Dance | |
| George Gershwin (1898–1937) | |
| «Fascinating Rhythm» aus «Lady Be Good!» (1924) | |
| Irving Berlin (1888–1989) | |
| «Blue Skies» aus «Betsy (1926) | |
| Cole Porter (1891–1964) | |
| «Let’s Do It» aus «Paris» (1928) | |
| «Who Said Gay Paree?» aus «Fifty Million Frenchmen» (1929) | |
| «A Cozy Little Corner in the Ritz» aus «Fifty Million Frenchmen» (1929) | |
| III. AMERICA FACES REALITY 1930-1939 | |
| Dreams Under Pressure | |
| Cole Porter (1891–1964) | |
| «Love for Sale» aus «The New Yorkers» (1930) | |
| «I Concentrate on You» aus «Broadway Melody of 1940» (1940) | |
| «Night and Day» aus «Gay Divorce» (1932) | |
| Harold Arlen (1905-1986) | |
| «Stormy Weather» aus «Cotton Club Revue» (1933) | |
| «Last Night When We Were Young» (1935) | |
| Richard Rodgers (1902-1979) & Lorenz Hart (1895-1943) | |
| «My Funny Valentine» aus «Babes in Arms» (1937) | |
| IV. AMERICA AT WAR 1940-1945 | |
| When Song Became Home | |
| George Gershwin (1898-1937) | |
| «Love Walked In» aus «The Goldwyn Follies» (1938) | |
| Jerome Kern & Oscar Hammerstein II (1895-1960) | |
| «All the Things You Are Very Warm for May» (1939) | |
| Cole Porter (1891–1964) | |
| «Don’t Fence Me In» (1934) aus «Canteen» (1944) | |
| Harold Arlen (1905-1986 | |
| «One for My Baby» aus «The Sky’s The Limit» (1943) | |
| V. AMERICA: CONFIDENCE 1945 TO 1955 | |
| The American Century | |
| Richard Rodgers (1902–1979) & Oscar Hammerstein II (1895-1960) | |
| «Some Enchanted Evening» aus «South Pacific» (1949) | |
| Cole Porter (1891–1964) | |
| «Too Darn Hot» aus «Kiss Me, Kate» (1948) | |
| «So in Love» aus «Kiss Me, Kate» (1948) | |
| Harold Arlen (1905-1986) | |
| «Come Rain or Come Shine» aus «St. Louis Woman» (1946) | |
| «Any Place I Hang My Hat Is Home» aus «St. Louis Woman» (1947) | |
| 80' | |