Daniel Kamalic, the son of Rockport artist Ivan Kamalic, was eager to sing for his father, a lover of music, as well as the visual arts.
He had planned to do so at his father's birthday party in June, which would also celebrate the end of his cancer treatments. But his father died that week, and the party planned for his birthday became a posthumous celebration in July of the artist's life. Daniel Kamalic knew he could never perform at the event, although it was a celebration filled with music and art, just the way his father wanted.
But the event planted the seed of an idea with pianist Beverly Soll, a Salem resident and visiting lecturer at Salem State University who played piano at the event. She would coordinate a recital of New England songs of the sea, using Ivan Kamalic's paintings of the ocean as a centerpiece.
This song recital, presented by the Boston Singers' Resource, takes place on Sunday in Danvers and will feature about 20 paintings by Kamalic, known for his landscapes and unique color technique.
"I think this is a program that New Englanders will love," Daniel Kamalic said, "... This is my chance to sing in memory of my father. Dad was a lover of music, and he played the ukulele; and when I pursued music, he was so supportive."
The free event will be an afternoon of song, poetry and artworks, with Natalie Polito, soprano; Jacque Wilson, mezzo-soprano; Daniel Kamalic, a lyric-dramatic tenor; and Soll on piano.
Daniel Kamalic is a mix of talents encompassing the arts and sciences. He earned a bachelor's degree in math and computer science at MIT, and at the same time started studying with a voice teacher at the Boston Conservatory.
After he graduated from MIT, he went on to study vocal performance and received a degree in classical voice at the New England Conservatory. He now works as manager of research computing for the College of Engineering at Boston University.
Soll, who has a doctorate in music, is coordinator of this inaugural program of the Boston Singers' Resource Recital Series.
She was inspired by the psalm "They that go down to the sea in ships," which is inscribed on the Gloucester Fisherman's Memorial.
"The music for this program is eclectic, but is woven together in such a way as to make a powerful artistic statement. It spans the 19th and 20th centuries, using the music of English and American composers and poets, many of whom are from Massachusetts or who have ties to New England," Soll said.
The songs range from a "hauling chantey" and lullabies to stories of love and loss at sea. The poems explore the beauty and majesty of the sea and images of the "eternal sea" in poems by Dickinson, Whitman and many others, she said.
"We are very excited to be able to present the recital in John Archer's beautiful home in Danvers, a performance space often used by area chamber groups," Soll said.
"This setting removes many of the barriers of more traditional concert halls and invites the audience to have a more personal experience with the artists and the music."
Kamalic said the songs range from sad to dramatic to funny.
"The recital features a number of composers, some less well-know and some undiscovered gems," he said.
The program opens with a John Ireland song titled "Sea Fever."
"This is my first opportunity to really do something that is specially New England," he said. "The idea to use beautiful art of the region, and my dad's art, as an inspiration for a recital is a dream come true."
If you go ...
What: "Songs of the Sea," a song recital and art exhibit
When: Sunday, 3 p.m.
Where: Home of John Archer, 10 North St., Danvers.
Admission: Free, but donations will be accepted. Reservations suggested.
More information and reservations: Email info@BostonSingersResource.org or call 978-352-5058.
