Backstage at Lyric

A new series called "Backstage at Lyric" from the Lyric Opera of Chicago features in-depth interviews with the singers, conductors, and creative minds behind the productions of the 2007/08 season.

The series launches with an engaging and informative interview with soprano Elizabeth Futral and tenor Joseph Calleja, who are currently rehearsing
La traviata.

Lyric Opera dramaturg Roger Pines hosts this first episode. Download and enjoy!

Two Musicians win MacArthur grants

The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation announced the winners of the MacArthur fellowships. The fellowships, or "genius awards," as they are commonly called, recognize people in a variety of fields for their creativity and promise. Each new fellow receives an award of $500,000, which is meant to encourage future exploration and comes with no strings attached.

Among the 24 winners for 2007 are two musicians:

Corey Harris, a blues musician who is leading a revival of Mississippi
Delta blues by infusing traditional styles with influences from jazz,
reggae gospel, and African and Caribbean folk styles.

To read more about Corey Harris, click HERE

Dawn Upshaw, a master vocalist who stretches the boundaries of operatic
and concert singing and enriches the landscape of contemporary
performance through her advocacy of established and emerging composers.

To read an article about Upshaw from NPR's Tom Huizenga, click HERE

From The Silk Road Project

How goes the Silk Road Project? Since Alex Ross wrote about Yo-Yo Ma's innovative multicultural music series in The New Yorker back in 2002, Mr. Ross has kept an eye on the Project's progress across the country and around the world. On the occasion of the release of the latest Silk Road CD, New Impossibilities (Sony Classical), Mr. Ross spoke to Ma about how the project has evolved and how it has affected his musicianship.

To read the entire interview, click HERE

Jazz Legend Joe Zawinul, 1932-2007

Jazz legend Joe Zawinul, who soared to fame as one of the creators of jazz fusion and performed and recorded with Miles Davis, died early Tuesday, a hospital official said. He was 75.

To read the entire article at All About Jazz, click HERE

Luciano Pavarotti, 1935-2007

The world has lost one of the most famous opera singers of our time. Luciano Pavarotti died at his home in Italy after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 71 years old.

To hear excerpts of the famous tenor's singing and read a remembrance from NPR, click HERE

To read the BBC's news release, click HERE. And to watch a performance from a 1979 production of La Bohème with soprano Ileana Cotrubas at La Scala, click HERE

Chat with the Music Liaison

Are you in the midst of a project and need advice on finding more resources? I have set up a chat box on this site for Columbia College Music students and faculty. When I am at my desk, you can use the box on the right titled “Ask Lauren” to send me an instant message. I’ll do my best to assist you. Or if you prefer, you can click on "Contact" under my profile for traditional email.

Please send me your name with your first post.