Kander: Wonderfully Technical & Performative

“I am spectacularly grateful to Katy for premiering Rahassya!” — Susan Kander On April 9, 2022, Susan Kander’s newest vocal work Rahassya will be premiered by mezzo-soprano Katherine Pracht-Phares at Bowling Green State University’s Bryan Hall (Ohio). Joining Pracht-Phares are percussionists Nick Fox on vibraphone and David Esselburn on marimba. The 20-minute work is based […]

Frazelle: A Master Composer

“Kenneth Frazelle is a master composer and such an important voice in American music today.” And so, soprano Lindsay Kesselman shares her thoughts about the composer and his music as she prepares for the upcoming piano-vocal premiere of excerpts from Frazelle’s song cycle Energy in All Directions. On February 25, 2022, Kesselman joins pianist Lisa […]

Kander: dwb at Urban Arias in DC

On April 30, 2021, UrbanArias presents the digital premiere of its film adaptation of Susan Kander’s chamber opera dwb (driving while black), featuring soprano Karen Slack joined by cellist Rosanna Butterfield and percussionist Eric Plewinski. Kander’s 45-minute, one-woman monodrama was written in collaboration with librettist and soprano Roberta Gumbel. Gumbel — along with New Morse […]

Lee: Songs for the People Premieres

“Songs for the People has such beauty and depth. It has rich, musical sonorities that touch me to my core!” — Denyce Graves And so, celebrated mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves shares her thoughts about James Lee III’s new song, which premieres on May 1, as part of the Tulsa Opera’s “Greenwood Overcomes” concerts. Commissioned by the […]

Kander: DWB NY Premiere

On October 23, Susan Kander’s chamber opera dwb (driving while black) receives its New York premiere — via virtual performance — presented by Baruch Performing Arts Center in Manhattan. The 45-minute, one-woman monodrama originally premiered in fall 2018 at the Lawrence Arts Center in Kansas. With stage direction by Chip Miller, the production features original […]

Frazelle: Through the Window Premieres

“It’s wonderful to be able to present a virtual premiere.” — Kenneth Frazelle On June 20, the Mallarme Chamber Players present the online world premiere of Kenneth Frazelle’s new song cycle Through the Window. Commissioned by the ensemble, the 11-movement, 46-minute work is scored for soprano, cello (or viola) and piano and features texts by […]

Knight: The Wings of Night

On May 31, Edward Knight’s new song cycle The Wings of Night premieres during the 2019 Oklahoma Music Teachers Association (OMTA) Conference. Commissioned by the OMTA, Knight’s three-movement work is written for voice, oboe, and piano, and features texts by American poet Sara Teasdale. Performers include: mezzo-soprano Catherine McDaniel; Allegra Knight on the oboe; and […]

Frazelle: SUNDAY AT MCDONALDS

Concert: Frazelle: SUNDAY AT MCDONALDS Start Time: 00:00:00 Date: 2019-04-13 End Time: 00:00:00 Location: Olivia Van Vranken, soprano; Robert Rocco, piano Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1080352038835102/?active_tab=about Concert Information: Watson Chamber Music Hall UNC School of the Arts Winston-Salem, NC

Sierra: 33 Sueños

On February 20, Roberto Sierra’s song cycle, 33 Sueños (33 Dreams) receives its American premiere presented by the New York Festival of Song (NYFOS). Programmed as part of NYFOS’ “Hyphenated-Americans” program, the 30-minute work is scored for baritone and piano and uses the texts settings of poet Juan Carlos Garvayo. (Garvayo also serves as pianist […]

Lee: Beyond Mirrors of Color

On January 17, James Lee III’s newest song cycle Beyond Mirrors of Color premieres in Jacksonville, FL, performed by soprano Alison Buchanan and the Ritz Chamber Players. Scored for soprano, cello and piano, the five-movement, 19-minute chamber work features poetry written by Buchanan, under the nom de plume of Alison Harding. The premiere is part […]