mezzo

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

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

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

14 texts as set by Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, hand-curated by Fach

From our collection of Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy texts, here are 14 texts hand-curated by Fach, with listening links included. Born Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (3 February 1809 – 4 November 1847), he was widely known as Felix Mendelssohn. Mendelssohn was a German composer, pianist, and organist during the early Romantic period. Mendelssohn is considered the greatest child prodigy after… 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

Eight arias from Georges Bizet’s opera, Carmen

Georges Bizet’s four act opera, Carmen, was first performed in Paris in 1875. Carmen, written in the opéra comique genre, was considered unconventional at its initial release. Bizet died after its 33rd performance, never realizing the international acclaim this widely-known opera would have. Here are eight arias from Carmen, with perfect for voice type indications, links to… Read More

Selected mezzo / contralto arias by Gaetano Donizetti, hand-curated by Fach

We continue our blog series on Donizetti with a collection of mezzo / contralto arias, hand-curated by Fach and most with listening links, available on IPA Source. The collections in this post have been hand-selected and grouped by IPA Source Founder & Principal Author, Bard Suverkrop. The Italian composer, Domenico Gaetano Maria Donizetti (Gaetano Donizetti), born… Read More