Adela (from "Bernarda Alba"): Piano/Vocal/Chords

This collection opens access to some of the most sophisticated theatrical songwriting of the past thirty years. LaChisua's harmonic language is complex and rewarding to study, offering singers and pianists genuine musical challenge alongside expressive depth. The breadth here (39 songs spanning multiple shows) makes this an invaluable resource for advanced students discovering contemporary musical theatre that demands real vocal and interpretive maturity.

These songs inhabit the space where classical rigor meets theatrical immediacy. LaChisua's melodies often feel inevitable yet surprising, supported by harmonies that deepen rather than simply decorate. The emotional terrain ranges from intimate vulnerability to complex social observation, all handled with compositional intelligence that respects both the singer and listener.

This collection serves advanced vocalists and serious piano students who want to engage with contemporary musical theatre beyond the standard repertoire. Singing teachers preparing students for university auditions, music theatre programs, and artistic growth will find substantial material here. Pianists seeking accompaniment work that is musically substantial and dramatically engaging will appreciate the care evident in every arrangement.

• Study the harmonic movement carefully; LaChisua's progressions often surprise and require singers to track subtle emotional shifts through unexpected chromatic or modal changes.
• Balance the lyrical melody with the piano's often-active accompaniment. The relationship between voice and keys is conversational, not hierarchical.
• Approach the contemporary language without oversinging. These songs reward specificity and restraint over volume or vibrato.
• Use the chord symbols to understand the harmonic context, but listen past them to the color and texture LaChisua creates within each progression.

Feature individual songs in recital settings where you want to program contemporary musical theatre that demonstrates sophisticated musicianship. Use this collection to build a curated set of audition material that showcases character, range, and interpretive maturity. For advanced voice studios, this serves as both performance repertoire and analytical study material, revealing how contemporary composers handle harmony, form, and text setting.

• Interpreting complex harmonic language and chord extensions in contemporary settings
• Sustaining musical line through unexpected harmonic movements
• Balancing melodic clarity with rhythmically active accompaniment patterns
• Connecting contemporary lyrical text to sophisticated compositional choices
• Sight-reading and learning from full piano/vocal scores rather than simplified fake books