Thomas Quasthoff is a world-renowned German bass-baritone singer and a celebrated performer of classical music. Born on November 9, 1959, Quasthoff developed a passion for music at a young age and began singing in choirs as a child. He went on to study at the Music Conservatory of Hanover, where he received training in voice… Read More
bass
Josef Gabriel Rheinberger, organist and composer
Josef Gabriel Rheinberger, born in Lichtenstein March 17, 1839, was a respected pianist, organist, and composer. Rheinberger was involved in the performances of Wagner‘s “Tristan und Isolde” and “Die Meistersinger” by the Royal Opera. Josef Rheinberger began serving as an organist in a Lichtenstein church at the age of 7. Rheinberger attended the Munich Conservatorium,… Read More
Seven arias from Giuseppe Verdi’s La battaglia di Legnano
Seven texts from La battaglia di Legnano, as set by Giuseppe Verdi, have recently been added to the IPA Source database. La battaglia di Legnano is a four-act opera, with a libretto set by Salvadore Cammarano. It was first performed in January of 1849, and was commissioned by the Teatro Argentina theatre. In the 1850’s, Verdi… Read More
Perfect for Bass – 8 concert arias as set by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (January 27, 1756 – December 5, 1791), born in Salzburg, Austria, was an important and respected composer. As an adult, he referred to himself as “Wolfgang Amadè Mozart,” but it is noted that his name had many variants. As a child, his baptismal record listed his name in Latin as Joannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus… Read More
Perfect for Voice – 17 Texts from Georg Friedrich Händel’s Messiah
Georg Friedrich Händel’s Messiah (HWV 56) is an English-language oratorio composed in 1741 with a scriptural text compiled by Charles Jennens from the King James Bible, and from the version of the Psalms included with the Book of Common Prayer. Originally intended as thought-provoking inspiration for Lent and Easter, this 259-page score was composed in a mere 3-4 weeks. During the 1700’s, opera… Read More
Texts about love, just in time for Valentine’s Day
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, here are a selection of texts about love. Some texts also include listening links, notations on ideal voice type, and comments from IPA Source Founder & Principal Author, Bard Suverkrop. Droop Not, Young Lover as set by Georg Friedrich Händel This is important song, perfect for bass, is from… Read More
Perfect for voice – 8 arias as set by Camille Saint-Saëns
Charles-Camille Saint-Saëns (10/9/1835 – 12/16/1921) was a French composer, organist, conductor and pianist of the Romantic era. He was also a poet and playwright. In his younger years, he was enthusiastic for music of the modern day, including Schumann, Wagner, and Liszt. However, he remained a traditionalist committed to musical structures by earlier French composers.… Read More
Halloween-themed art songs and opera texts
No tricks here! Here are some Halloween treats hand-selected by our founder & principal author, Bard Suverkrop. Enjoy this selection of Halloween-themed art songs and opera texts, which include fach (voice type), listening links and links to the score. Art Songs And’res Maienlied: Hexenlied (perfect for soprano) as set by Felix Mendelssohn Listen to Barbara… Read More