This week’s Song of the Day curator is baritone Shea Owens. An alumnus of NYFOS’s Emerging Artist program and NYFOS Next, Shea is returning to the NYFOS Mainstage next month in From Russia to Riverside Drive: Rachmaninoff and Friends. Be sure to get your tickets today!  

from Shea Owens:

Have you ever heard a song and been so moved by it that you immediately bought a recording—and listened to it over and over again? That’s what I did the first time I heard “Music, when soft voices die” sung by Arleen Auger. This is an exquisite song by Roger Quilter, set to the poetry of Percy Bysshe Shelley.

In contrast to yesterday’s piece, this one is hopeful and optimistic. It reminds us that music, scents, memories, and love will carry on, even with the passing of those who are dear to us. Arleen Auger passed away from a brain tumor in 1993—but thanks to the miracles of recording and technology, her voice lives on for us to enjoy.