Soprano Ashley Marie Robillard performs with Lyrica Chamber Music

Two of the most imaginative minds of the 19th century will provide musical and literary inspiration for Lyrica Chamber Music’s third concert of the season on Sunday, March 16, at 3 p.m., at the Presbyterian Church of Chatham Township, 240 Southern Blvd.

Soprano Ashley Marie Robillard will perform songs based on the poetry of Emily Dickinson with Lyrica co-artistic director, pianist David Kaplan. And Kaplan with team up with co-artistic director, cellist Ani Kalayjian, for Robert Schumann’s “Fantasiestucke.”

Surrounding those two nuggets is an expansive program, titled “Longing,” that will include Beethoven’s Sonata for Cello and Piano, Op 102, No. 2, as well as music of Schubert, Clara Schumann, Brahms, Richard Strauss, Rachmaninov, and Andre Previn.

Lyrica concerts are presented with the support of Morris Arts which seeks to build community through the arts.

“The main motivation in constructing a program is to create a moving and stimulating listening experience for the audience — one that will hopefully remain in the listener’s mind long after the last notes have died out,” said Kaplan. “So we want a mix of different energies to maintain interest. We want a coherent thematic thread, so that the selections form a musical argument of sorts.”

Lyrica is fortunate to have a vocalist in the person of Robillard who can negotiate the different styles of opera, art song, chamber music, and cabaret.

“Bringing new artists such as Ashley to Lyrica allows us to widen our lens and continue creating a spirit of collaboration amongst our peers,” Kalayjian said. “We cherish our long-time chamber music partners and equally welcome new distinguished artists in our field which bring a fresh inspired energy to our rehearsals and performance.”

Robillard has performed at prestigious venues such as the War Memorial Opera House, Jordan Hall, Verizon Hall, and the National Portrait Gallery, collaborating with esteemed organizations including Opera Philadelphia, Washington Concert Opera, Opera Lafayette, Opera San Jose, Opera Grand Rapids, Early Music Now, and the Amarillo Symphony.

Her repertoire spans a breathtaking range — from the Seikilos Epitaph, the oldest surviving musical notation, to the traditional operatic canon to contemporary premieres — earning her a reputation as a passionate interpreter and captivating storyteller.

An alumna of the Merola Opera Program, Wolf Trap Opera, and Opera Philadelphia’s Emerging Artist Program, Robillard is equally at home in traditional opera houses and on smaller, more experimental stages.

David Fox of Parterre Box has written, “The youthful impetuousness and smile in her tone recalls a young Helen Donath.”

Besides three Emily Dickinson poems set to music by Aaron Copland and Ricky Ian Gordon, she will perform vocalizes by Rachmaninov and Previn. Schubert’s delightful “Die Forelle” (The Trout) will highlight the second half of the program along with Clara Schumann’s “Die Stille Lotosblume” and Strauss’ “Stӓndchen.”

Kaplan will go solo for Schubert’s Impromptu, Op. 90, No. 1, and several of Brahms’ Kalvierstucke, Op 118.

Kaplan, along with his wife, flutist Catherine Gregory, a frequent Lyrica visitor, were performers on a Grammy-nominated recording, Valerie Coleman’s “Revelry.” It was nominated in the category of Best Contemporary Classical Composition.

Kaplan has been called “excellent and adventurous” by The New York Times, and praised by the Boston Globe for “grace and fire” at the keyboard. As orchestra soloist, he has appeared with the Britten Sinfonia at London’s Barbican and Das Sinfonie Orchester Berlin at the Philharmonie, as well the Symphony Orchestras of Hawaii and San Antonio. As recitalist, he has performed at the Ravinia Festival, Sarasota Opera House, Music on Main in Vancouver, Strathmore, Washington’s National Gallery, and New York’s Carnegie and Merkin Halls.

Hailed by the Los Angeles Times as “representing the young, up-and-coming generation,” and a “superb cellist with a large, expressive, singing tone, passionate musicianship, and magnificent playing” by the Journal Tribune, Armenian-American cellist Ani Kalayjian enjoys a prolific career as a soloist, recitalist, chamber musician and educator that has taken her to Japan, Australia, Canada, the Middle East, and throughout Europe and the United States.

Tickets for Lyrica concerts are $30 ($25 for seniors), and students and children are admitted free. For more information about Lyrica Chamber Music, visit www.lyricachambermusic.com or call 973-309-1668.