Osian Ellis | Countermelody

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It’s my birthday! And we’re heading south for a week. But never fear: I have spent the week preparing in advance a number of new episodes which will “hit the airwaves” right on schedule. And, perhaps best of all, they’re my famous potpourri episodes, that feature everything but the kitchen sink! Today’s episode is another in my “Rescue Mission” series, featuring artists who have already received full Countermelody episodes, but who are always worth revisiting. And in each case, I’m playing material that has not yet been heard on the podcast, some of it exceedingly rare! So who is up on today’s episode? First, our beloved Roberta Alexander, the first anniversary of whose death we commemorate this coming week. Also heard are a veritable torrent of other Countermelody favorites: Heather Harper, Marvis Martin, Charles Kullman, George Shirley, Donald Gramm, Betty Allen, Jennie Tourel, Lenora Lafayette, Gérard Souzay, Helen Donath (who recently make a surprise return to the stage as the Old Countess in Pique-Dame!), Inez Matthews, Elisabeth Söderström, Shirley Verrett, Andrzej Hiolski, and the recently departed Ileana Cotrubaş in an extraordinarily rare 1984 recording of one of Franz Liszt’s Petrarch Sonnets. I have reached the advanced age where receiving birthday gifts has lost its thrill and lustre, but I will never tire of sharing recordings of favorite artists that I have unearthed for our mutual enjoyment! And stay tuned for next week’s episode: a preview of forthcoming attractions coming in Season Eight (and beyond!)

Countermelody is the podcast devoted to the glory and the power of the human voice raised in song. Singer and vocal aficionado Daniel Gundlach explores great singers of the past and present focusing in particular on those who are less well-remembered today than they should be. Daniel’s lifetime in music as a professional countertenor, pianist, vocal coach, voice teacher, and author yields an exciting array of anecdotes, impressions, and “inside stories.” At Countermelody’s core is the celebration of great singers of all stripes, their instruments, and the connection they make to the words they sing. By clicking on the following link (https://linktr.ee/CountermelodyPodcast) you can find the dedicated Countermelody website which contains additional content including artist photos and episode setlists. The link will also take you to Countermelody’s Patreon page, where you can pledge your monthly or yearly support at whatever level you can afford.

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Christa Ludwig, celebrated two weeks ago, is not the only great singer and musician to have departed this earthly realm in recent months. This episode presents a wide cross-section of great musicians we have lost, not just singers, and not just classical musicians. Included are many opera singers who today are less well-known, including Sándor Sólyom Nagy, Libuše Domanínská, Margherita Roberti, Tamara Sorokina, Angelo Mori, Marcella Reale, Biserka Cvejić, and Michel Trempont. A wide range of composers including Ennio Morricone, Elias Rahbani, and Harold Budd, also receive a nod, as do instrumentalists Leon Fleisher, Osian Ellis, and Julian Bream, and non-classical artists such as Anne Feeney, Charley Pride, Gerry Marsden, Jimmie Rodgers, and SOPHIE. Only once before on the podcast have I presented such a kaleidoscopic memorial episode; it is good to be reminded of the full range of expression pursued by great musicians of all stripes. Guest stars today include Barbara Hendricks, Muriel Smith, and John Shirley-Quirk. The tributes continue next week.

Countermelody is a podcast devoted to the glory and the power of the human voice raised in song. Singer and vocal aficionado Daniel Gundlach explores great singers of the past and present focusing in particular on those who are less well-remembered today than they should be. Daniel’s lifetime in music as a professional countertenor, pianist, vocal coach, voice teacher, and journalist yields an exciting array of anecdotes, impressions, and “inside stories.” Occasional guests from the “business” (singers, conductors, composers, coaches, and teachers) lend their distinctive insights. At Countermelody’s core is the interaction between singers of all stripes, their instruments, and the connection they make to the words they sing. At Countermelody’s core is the interaction between singers of all stripes, their instruments, and the connection they make to the words they sing. Please visit the Countermelody website (www.countermelodypodcast.com) for additional content including artist photos and episode setlists. And please head to my Patreon page at www.patreon.com/countermelody to pledge your monthly support at whatever level you can afford. Bonus episodes available only to Patreon supporters are currently available.

Pictured: Biserka Cvejić as Amneris

Countermelody

Countermelody is devoted to the glories of the human voice raised in song.

Tag Archives: Osian Ellis

Episode 494. A Birthday Potpourri I (Rescue Mission Edition)

Episode 90. Gone But Not Forgotten (In Memoriam I)