Beloved Countermelody favorite Helen Donath celebrated her 85th birthday on 10 July. In honor of that milestone, I once again celebrate her (which I’ve done so often, but I don’t think anyone is complaining!) This episode features the venerated soprano singing the music of Richard Strauss. In 1976 and 1981 she recorded two albums of Lieder for EMI, both accompanied by her husband, pianist and conductor Klaus Donath, each of which included a selection of songs by Strauss. In addition, I offer recordings of Donath singing various operatic excerpts, both live and studio, of her acclaimed Sophie in Rosenkavalier and Zdenka/o in Arabella. In addition, two late career Donath rarities. First is a concert performance of Die ägyptische Helena live from the Salzburg Festival in the summer of 2003 in which Donath sings the challenging role of Aithra with a freshness and radiance that is breathtaking. The episode concludes with an extraordinary live 2000 recording of Donath performing the Vier letzte Lieder, a tribute to the natural progression of her voice into the jugendlich dramatisch repertoire as she aged. Vocal guest stars include Júlia Várady (who today celebrates her 84th birthday!), Doris Soffel, and Deborah Voigt. Let us extend our hearty good wishes and affection to La Donath, who is finally living in well-earned Ruhestand, after a career that extended well into her 70s.

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 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.