Countermelody

Latest Episodes
Episode 331. Eugene Holmes Revisited
Exactly two years ago I introduced my listeners to the magisterial African American dramatic baritone Eugene Holmes (1932 2007). Holmes first found world-wide recognition with he appeared in the fir
Episode 330. Martina Arroyo in Duet
What better way to start off this Black History Month 2025 celebration than with a birthday tribute to beloved African American diva Martina Arroyo, who turned 88 yesterday, February 2?! Though she is
Episode 329. Lois Marshall @ 100
Yesterday was the 100th birthday of the sublime Canadian singer, Lois Marshall (29 January 1925 19 February 1997). I was sorry to see that there were very apparently few acknowledgements of this mom
Episode 328. Mezzos in Extremis
Right after the disastrous US election of November 2024, I published an episode entitled Mezzos on the Verge, which featured some of my favorite mezzos in rafter-shaking performances of on the edge
Episode 327. Eileen Farrell’s High Standards
Its been a tough week all around, not just nationally and internationally, but also personally for me and my family. Because I did not have the time or energy to put out a brand-new episode today, I
Episode 326. Paul Robeson Unchained
Today, Martin Luther King Day and the day of the reinauguration of King Ubu of the Divided States of America, is an appropriate time to revisit the life and legacy of the great Paul Robeson. Both grea
Episode 325. Marni Nixon Revisited
Today I present to you the extraordinarily versatile, even chameleon-like singer and actor Marni Nixon (22 February 1930 - 24 July 2016), who is no doubt best-known today as the so-called Ghostess wi
Episode 324. Margaret Price in Trauer und Trost
These days I find myself in a pensive, troubled state, very much in need of the kind of consolation that only music can provide. A number of years ago, I published a pair of episodes featuring the sub
Episode 323. Baritonal Schwanengesang
The New Year is off to a predictably challenging start. Everywhere we look (California, Canada, New Orleans, and beyond) dreadful things are happening. I am offering in the spirit of solace and condol
Episode 322. Margaret Marshall Sings Mozart
Yesterday was the birthday of Countermelody favorite, the ravishing Scottish soprano Margaret Marshall. What better way to kick off Season Six of the podcast than with this tribute to Margaret. The mo