Art songs weave a combination of poetry and melody into a musical tapestry for recital. This year’s Vocal Artistry of Song Festival stars soprano Kendra Colton, a soloist who has performed with the Boston Symphony, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Cleveland Orchestra and the San Francisco Symphony. Colton will be accompanied by her pianist Allison Voth. The concert is slated for Friday at the Simms Auditorium. Colton is from Ohio’s Oberlin College. 

“She lives in Boston,” festival founder Jacqueline Zander-Wall said. “She’s a wonderful art song singer.“She got me my first job . Even though she is so exquisitely talented, she’s so down-to-earth and she’s always interested in learning from others.” This year’s celebration boasts an Italian theme, with the composers ranging from Menotti to Mancini. Past festivals have featured French, German, Spanish and British composers. This marks the second year for the Italians.