Four and a half stars
Tenor Steven Stolen;
Meridian Song Project;
Trinity Episcopal Church;
March 2

Benjamin Britten (1913-’76) is described as “a musician of great invention, technical mastery and charm,”an apt parallel to tenor Steven Stolen, who admits to claiming an “Irish”lilt when March 17 rolls around despite his Norwegian heritage. Interspersing the printed program of English folk and art song arrangements by Britten with popular Irish patter songs and ballads, Stolen engaged us in a pleasant hour that opened and closed with James Mulholland’s luscious arrangement of “Danny Boy.”Stolen notes that Butler faculty member Mulholland “is a devotee and unabashed lover of fine poetry, folk tunes and beautiful words.”An endearing aspect of Stolen’s art rests in his precise articulation of words within the context of the songs, in this program particularly the poetry of Thomas Moore from his Irish Melodies and the sentiments of Henry Purcell from Orpheus Britannicus. As always, pianist Catherine Bringerud is a perfect accompanist. Next for Stolen at Trinity, “Bring Your Mom,”May 11 at 7 p.m., free. www.meridiansongproject.org.