Podcast Episodes
Back to SearchWilliam Warfield (Black History Month 2021 IV)
Season 2 Episode 76
This week’s subject is one of the towering figures of 20th century music: the African American bass-baritone William Warfield (1920–2002). Though he …
5 years, 7 months ago
Episode 75. Lenora Lafayette (BHM2021 III)
Every so often I discover a singer who had previously not come under my radar, but who simply blows me away with their voice, artistry, and communica…
5 years, 7 months ago
Lucretia West (Black History Month 2021 II)
Season 2 Episode 74
The great African American contralto Lucretia West, born on 13 November 1922, is one of the great singers of German Lieder in general and of the musi…
5 years, 7 months ago
Carol Brice (Black History Month 2021 I)
Season 2 Episode 73
Countermelody’s Black History Month celebration for 2021 begins with the great African American contralto Carol Brice (1916-1985) who had a distingui…
5 years, 8 months ago
Episode 72. Igor Gorin (Great Baritones II)
I recently rediscovered the great Ukranian-American baritone Igor Gorin (1904-1982) and was bowled over by the sheer beauty of his voice. In fact, I …
5 years, 8 months ago
Eidé Noréna
Season 2 Episode 71
Kaja Eidé Noréna (1884-1968, née Karoline Hansen), the Norwegian lyric-coloratura soprano, is one of the greatest singers of her generation, and near…
5 years, 8 months ago
Episode 70. Paul Robeson: Ballad of an American
Season 2 Episode 70
January 23 is the 45th anniversary of the death of Paul Robeson, who remains one of the most celebrated, and controversial, of all artists. A man of …
5 years, 8 months ago
Voiceless Wonders: An Introduction
Season 2 Episode 69
Some of the greatest singers in history are not necessarily the most vocally-gifted. This is the first of what I hope will be a series of episodes de…
5 years, 8 months ago
Margaret Marshall, Songbird
Season 2 Episode 68
Welcome to 2021 chez Countermelody! Today’s episode is a birthday tribute to the splendid Scottish soprano Margaret Marshall, who was born on 4 Janua…
5 years, 9 months ago
Episode 67. Good Bye 2020 (and Good Riddance!)
Is there anyone out there who will not be relieved to bid farewell to 2020, this annus horribilis? I know I’ll be delighted to kick its ass out the d…
5 years, 9 months ago