The same can be said of Paris today, as many local artists would be happy to tell you.

“Paris has been a constant source of inspiration for me,” said artist Freiman Stoltzfus, co-founder of Gallery 2 (Deux Amis) on North Prince Street. “I visited the city once, then I fell in love. Now you can say I have a very fulfilling, long-term relationship with Paris.”

This month, Gallery 2 will present “The French Collection,” a body of work in graphite and acrylic inspired by Stoltzfus’ last visit to Paris.

Liz Hess, fellow artist and co-founder of Gallery 2, also is contributing her Paris-themed paintings to the show, including selections from her well-loved “Red Umbrella” series.

Stoltzfus also was instrumental in arranging the “Americans in Paris” recital at St. James Episcopal Church on the corner of Duke and Orange Streets, which will take place Saturday at 8 p.m. The free concert will feature renowned soprano Susan Miller, who will sing French and American art songs and arias. She will be accompanied by pianist and music teacher Mary Dibbern.

A reception will follow the concert at both Gallery 2 (140 N. Prince St.) and the Christiane David Gallery (142 N. Prince St.).

“Both Susan and Mary are Americans who now live in France,” Stoltzfus said. “I met Susan during a trip to Paris and was lucky enough to hear her perform, and we stayed in touch ever since. I knew she was going to be in Pittsburgh this month, so she agreed to swing by Lancaster and perform with Mary. It’s a dream come true.

“I’m also pleased that our neighbor, Christiane David, is taking part in all this and showing her French-themed work as well,” he added. “She’s Belgian and has relatives who live in France, so she has strong ties to the country.”

Stoltzfus said it’s just a happy coincidence that CityFolk, which is just two doors down from the galleries, will showcase a new collection of French furniture this month.

“It worked out beautifully,” he said. “The timing was just right.”

Stoltzfus’s drawings of Notre Dame and other famed Parisian sites are flawlessly rendered and captivating, highlighting the city’s architecture and landscapes.

Hess’s paintings are the perfect accompaniment to his work. Her romantic images of figures walking in the rain are fun, bringing a playful element to an elegant exhibit.

“We’ve painted the same spots in Paris, but we don’t compete as artists,” Stoltzfus said. “We complement one another because our work is so different. We both painted Notre Dame, but the work isn’t the same. There are so many different angles to focus on.”

His friend Miller moved to Paris in 1999 to pursue her musical career and develop her soaring voice. Since then, living anywhere else has become unthinkable, she said.

“Aesthetically, the city is just beautiful, no matter where you go,” she said. “And I just get a visceral pleasure of speaking and singing in French.

“The language is very precise, but poetic,” said the soprano, who is currently studying arts management at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. “Something that may sound raunchy in English can sound eloquent in French. There’s a true pleasure in reciting such a beautiful language.”

Dibbern is not only a world-class musician, but also an opera coach who teaches master classes at the University level.

In 1978, she moved to Paris to work with the famed teachers Nadia Boulanger and Pierre Bernac. She accompanied in the private studios of Bernac, Re Koster and Gérard Souzay.

“I live just outside of Paris these days, but I have to say, it’s hard to go elsewhere once you’ve lived in that city. Not many other places can equal Paris.”

Dibbern works internationally as a freelance vocal coach, accompanist and author of music books. She also guest coached for the Seattle Opera and the Radio France-Montpellier Festival.

“Susan and I both feel there’s something about France’s music that bridges a gap between American culture and French culture. So many Americans love the sound of it and can relate to whoever is making it.

“The differences between the cultures are interesting too,” Dibbern added. “There’s an expression — what’s considered a luxury in America, is a necessity in France. But I think both cultures are interested in each other.”

Stoltzfus said he is particularly interested in Franco/American relations.

“There was that negativity about the French a few years ago — the whole freedom fries thing that the media kicked around.

“It was disappointing to me, especially since I’ve gained so much from visiting France,” Stoltzfus said. “So I love bridging a gap between the two cultures whenever I can.

“This month’s show is also special to me, because it allows me to honor a great source of inspiration,” he said. “My drawings are like love letters to Paris.” blog comments powered by Disqus