RIP Lorraine Hunt Lieberson

[Legacy]

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/05/ar...=1&oref=slogin

For those unfamiliar with this magnificent musician (mezzo-soprano), check out her Handel Arias on Avie (0030). Hear it in surround if possible. Recorded beautifully by Everett Porter at Polyhymnia. Track 2 set a new standard for musical beauty and recorded sound in my book.

I understand from Everett that all were completely spellbound at the session. She began to sing and no one could concentrate on anything but the stunningly beautiful music making. You can hear it on the recording.

I recently did some simple editing on a live concert she gave at Ravinia (?) which will be released on the Bridge label. The audience was so connected to her by the end that no-one (including me while editing ;-) wanted it to end.

She was nothing short of magical. Rest In Peace Ms. Hunt Lieberson.

-Silas

[Cosmic Closet]

Silas,

Thank you for a beautiful post in rememberance of a singer I have never heard. I will seek her out now, to appreciate. I want to hear her.
One day, many years ago, my ex and I were in our little car, and Gounod's Mass came on. Pilar Lorengar. We couldn't find a record store fast enough to see if they had it. The power and beauty of the human voice...

Best,

[David Spearritt]

Very sad news. Yes, she was certainly a magnificent singer and a great, great musician. Her performances in Australia with Richard Tognetti and the ACO were something very special indeed.

[Legacy]

Hi Cosmic - Yes, very worth going out of your way to find. I'm listening to her right now - paying my respects a little each day.

Hi David - She certainly seemed amazingly consistent at 'channeling the muse' (until near the end when she neede to cancel some concerts).

Apparently she was a very private person. Almost no one knew that she was seriously ill until she died (on Monday). I'm glad she was able to keep it relatively quiet and go the way she wanted.

Thanks to you both,
Silas