“When you hear Matthias sing, you are happy for the rest of your life. This man is spectacular!” Those were the words of star conductor Riccardo Chailly. Born in Weimar, baritone Matthias Goerne has not only made himself a name as opera singer, but first and foremost as a worldwide ambassador of the German lied. His complete recording of the lieder of Franz Schubert set a new benchmark; moreover, Goerne has recorded Schubert’s Schwanengesang cycle with several different pianists. For many years, he has been collaborating with pianist Alexander Schmalcz: the two artists give lied recitals on a regular basis in outstanding venues worldwide. Schubert’s and Schumann’s lieder require melancholy introspection combined with refined nuances of timbre that reflect every detail in the music. As a congenial duo, Goerne and Schmalcz invite us to take part in their intimate poetic and musical discoveries in this repertoire.