My friend from high school: Rachel Willis-Sørensen

this is a friend I spent many a day with in our youth. She's gone on to do wonderful things in her young career. It's been fun to follow her success! This video is from 2007. Rachel was 23 and studying at BYU. The collaborative artist is quite wonderful as well. The aria begins at 1:15. Here is a link for more information on Rachel: http://www.cami.com/?webid=2121. You can also find her on facebook if you would like to follow her. She is a wonderful person with a sweet and compassionate heart. and...as you will hear...quite the voice!

Some Listening for Spring term 2011

Stephanie Blythe. See a link to her brief info to the right under the opera singers links.



Marilyn Horne. I can't find a website specifically for her, but here is a video and any of you in voice class have heard this amazing and to borrow a word from a friend "epic" singer!! Enjoy the Habanera from Carmen. Some say Marilyn Horne was the best Carmen EVER! What do you think?



Joan Sutherland. Our nation lost this diva last year at the age of 83. Her legacy speaks for itself. You can research and find her wonderful-ness on your own, but here is a sampling of one of my favorite soprano arias.



Here is Paul Groves singing one of my favorite tenor arias: "Una Furtive Lagrima"



Marina Poplavskaya. A wonderful soprano coming out of the woodwork. Here is her wonderful rendition of "Ave Maria" from Othello.



Now listen to Renee Fleming's version of the same aria.



Can you articulate the differences you hear? Which is your preference?

More listening to come.....stay tuned! :)