The season begins with Art Song Chicago’s annual Collaborative Works Festival, this year exploring the timely theme: Songs of War and Peace. 

“In a world facing numerous conflicts–from the ongoing crises in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, and Myanmar to the war against migrants felt here at home–how could we not explore the ways composers and poets have responded to conflict and aspired toward peace,” said Phan. “Throughout history, periods of violence and conflict have birthed some of the most important art, and song is no exception.” 

Spanning two concerts, the Festival will feature works by canonical composers like Henri Duparc, Gustav Mahler and Robert Schumann; contemporary voices like Mohammed Fairouz, Errollyn Wallen, and Chicago composers Matthew Recio and Damien Geter; and the regional premiere of Second Shore, a new song cycle by Viet Cuong that relates the story of his family’s escape from Saigon during the Vietnam War. ”

Joining Phan, the 2025 Festival features a distinguished roster of over a dozen Chicago-based artists: sopranos Meghan Kasanders and Vanessa Beccera, mezzo-sopranos Sophia Maekawa and Zoie Reams, baritones Evan Bravos, and Schyler Vargas; pianist Kuang-Hao Huang; principal horn of the Chicago Symphony, Mark Almond; Art Song Chicago Executive Director and tenor, Eric Ferring; and Eighth Blackbird Artistic Co-Directors Lisa Kaplan (piano) and Matthew Duvall (percussion).

“I’m thrilled we’re able to feature  such a wealth of Chicagoland talent for this year’s Festival,” notes Phan. “In addition to returning artists like Evan Bravos, Lisa Kaplan, Kuang-Hao Huang, and Zoie Reams, we’re so excited to welcome new voices to our stage, including sopranos Meghan Kasanders and Vanessa Becerra and mezzo soprano Sophia Maekawa. This year’s Festival truly showcases the depth of art song interpretation that can be found here in Chicago.” 

Festival performances take place on Thursday, September 4 (7:30pm) and Saturday, September 6 (2:00pm), 2025 at Roosevelt University’s Ganz Hall.