This famous live recording of Nina Simone performing “Stars” at the Montreux Jazz Festival is one of my absolute favorites. Simone is in her full glory, at the height of her musical and communicative powers. And this Queen, I say that with no irony, is the kind of performer who commands the energy of the room. Her […]
Read MoreOdetta Holmes, known simply as Odetta, is a national treasure. I first encountered her incredible voice as I was working my way through The Best of Broadside 1962-1988. Broadside was an underground magazine where many of the most well known protest songs of the 1960s and 1970s were first published and distributed. The publication brought together […]
Read MoreI know that Kindertotenlieder is technically 5 songs, but no single piece from it can measure up to the sum of its whole. It is a piece, like this recording, that must be taken all together, both for the incredible sweep of Mahler’s score and the devastating journey the singer must make. Recorded live in 1958 with […]
Read MoreCanadian singer-songwriter and guitarist Leslie Feist has 5 solo albums to her credit, of which my personal favorites are Let it Die and The Reminder. Released in 2004 and 2007, respectively, they both deal with the mixed emotions and emotional echos that exist after the end of a serious relationship. In this respect, much of her work reminds […]
Read MoreThe call to pursue opera came very naturally to me because of my love for language and travel, and the joy I receive from exploring culture and human connection. I must say, I have always been somewhat of a “strange bird” with my vast taste in music since I was a child. When I was a young girl […]
Read MoreDedicated to my “adopted grandmother” who passed right at the time I was asked to do the Song of the Day. She was an avid cheerleader in my life who requested I sing this song at her funeral. Rest easy, dear Nonna.Carolyn D. Calvin (November 18, 1927 – January 4, 2020)
Read MoreA fun fact about me is that no matter how Italian my name my be, I have always been drawn to the culture of Mexico more than any other culture in the world. From a young age I fell in love with the Spanish language and since then have been on a path of discovering […]
Read MoreWhen I was asked to do the NYFOS Song of the Day I was intrigued (and overwhelmed!) by the possibilities of what I could present over five days. There is an endless amount of repertoire in all styles and genres—how do you choose?! So, I went with what I know: my favorites. I know that […]
Read MoreIn our preparation for the NYFOS Next: Director’s Choice recital, Michael Barrett, Mario Diaz-Moresco (my colleague on this program), and I sat down with piles of music in Michael’s home and spent the day singing through songs of all styles and languages. That day I was introduced to Adam Guettel’s music. After finalizing our pieces for […]
Read MoreThere’s a lot of negativity in the world right now. Coronaviruus! Impeachment! The Iowa Caucus! But it’s Friday and I am choosing something to put a smile on your face. One of our most original songwriters in America- Tom Waits continues to catch my attention. His song writing is eclectic, but it’s his voice that […]
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