Caffe Breve with Alizma

Yesterday I presented my first faculty recital at UNLV. Entitled "Caffe Breve," the program featured arias and songs all about coffee from Bach's Coffee Cantata to "Taylor the Latte Boy." The concert concluded with the world premiere of a song I wrote entitled "Blonde Coffee" which I wrote with latte girl Kristin Chenoweth in mind. This photograph features my students Aleksandra and Monika Okapiec, two of the Okapiec triplets who are Alizma. Click here to learn about Alizma

2012: A New Year of Possibilities & Costumed Asanas

Happy New Year! 2012 promises new opportunities. My book Yoga for Singers will be reviewed in the upcoming March issues of the Journal of Singing and Yoga Magazine! I'm busy preparing to direct UNLV's production of Carmen, but I realized I haven't uploaded a new video since moving to Vegas. Click here to watch the new YFS video . It's called Costumed Asanas and shows how to modify some yoga poses so you can warm up in costume before an audition or a show. Wishing you well in 2012.

If Mozart's Impresario were casino mogul Steve Wynn

We received positive reviews for UNLV Opera's production of Divas. CLICK HERE TO WATCH “THE IMPRESARIO” Madonna and Lady Gaga are the divas, competing as opera singers and yoginis in front of Steve Wynn, their agent Ari Gold, and the abdonminally gifted Mike Sorrentino aka 'The Situation.' CLICK HERE TO READ A REVIEW OF UNLV DIVAS” It's been an exciting first semester!

UNLV Divas

My first UNLV production has launched Divas, Mozart, and Haydn. Check out our interview with KNPR. Click here for KNPR interview

YFS Review in Voice Prints

Check out the review of Yoga for Singers in Voice Prints, the newsletter of the New York Singing Teachers' Association, p. 6. CLICK HERE FOR YFS REVIEW

Mudras @ CMS & YFS @ Campbell

Last week I traveled to Richmond for the national conference of the College Music Society. Despite the 8 am session time, there was good attendance at my workshop Yoga Breathing and Meditation for Musicians and Speakers. A flutist said she was eager to try the techniques at an upcoming audition. I also did a YFS workshop at Campbell University in North Carolina. Usually I sell some books after the workshop, but here they were buying them beforehand!

Bikram Yoga: Too Darn Hot for Me

Since moving to Vegas, I've taken advantage of the wide variety of yoga options. Most recently I decided to try Bikram Yoga. Bikram has messianic devotees who seem to love its practice. (To watch a 60 Minutes interview with founder Bikram Choudury click here) I admire their focus and commitment but after 2 classes, I've decided it just isn't the right style of yoga for me. They do a set series of poses in order which makes for great discipline, but I couldn't help but miss so many of my favorite asanas. I thought I'd developed a better tolerance for heat since I moved to the Mojave desert, but the humidity makes the heat index too extreme for me to feel healthy. The heat does increase flexibility and certainly makes you be present and live in the moment because all you can do is think of the Kiss Me, Kate song, "It's Too Darn Hot!" If you love to sweat profusely then you may love Bikram, but I felt exhausted from dehydration. As a singer living in the desert, I just don't think it's the right fit for me. Finally, I missed having music to guide and enhance my practice. There was no restorative meditation in Bikram's so-called "torture chamber." So my exploration of yoga styles will continue. I'm enjoying the journey but I hope I'll soon find a studio to call my own.

Wonderful time at Wanderlust

This wonderful yoga and music festival did not disappoint. Check out the great view from The Cosmopolitan's Boulevard Pool.

Cosmopolitan Wanderlust

The yoga and music festival known as Wanderlust is coming to Vegas this weekend! This is my chance to take an Anusara class with its creator, John Friend. Plus I've heard that the Cosmopolitan is a beautiful venue. I'm not familiar with the featured act Thievery Corporation but it sounds like they're a mix of reggae, jazz and Indian classical music. We shall see!

Red Rock Mudra

Hiking at Red Rock Canyon this weekend, I took a moment to meditate on the majestic beauty (and to catch my breath after a steep climb). This hand yoga posture known as Jnana mudra

helps maintain focus and concentration, so it's useful for singers, hikers, et al. I want to do Yoga Sanctuary's Red Rock Yoga Class/Hike but instead of paying $39 for it, I did my own solo hike and meditation for free.

Flow Yoga feature

Yoga for Singers is now featured in Flow Yoga magazine!
Click here for
Flow Yoga link

Yoga in the Yucatan

It's been a busy summer with a cross-country move, but I found time to do some yoga while in Playa del Carmen. Sun salutations sure feel good on the Mayan Riviera!

I've been doing a fair bit of composing (more on that to follow) and exploring the yoga scene in Vegas. From Expressive to Kundalini, Sanctuary to Blue Sky, it's great to have so many options. But I'm most excited about meeting my new students at UNLV, hearing auditions, and starting work on a new opera production.

Yogaforsingers.com is launched

I am so excited to announce the launch of my new website:

YOGAFORSINGERS

The site shares information about my book as well a link to my
YOUTUBEPAGE

Yoga is an ancient tradition, but Yoga for Singers is trying to be very 21st century!

Druid City Opera Workshop Part Deux

I am looking forward to teaching at the 2nd annual Druid City Opera Workshop next week. Besides teaching Yoga for Singers, I get to direct scenes from Elixir of Love, Le nozze di Figaro and Cosi fan tutte. Tuscaloosa was recently ravaged by record tornadoes, so it will be interesting to be working in the city. I'm glad that the workshop wasn't cancelled because it can bring business to Tuscaloosa when it needs it the most.

Now Tweeting

I've finally joined Twitter. Despite my initial resistance, I must admit that I am finding it to be a fun and interesting endeavor. Follow me at @LindaLister1. I am following a number of singers (from Renee Fleming to Lady Gaga) but so far Deepak Chopra has my favorite tweets.

YFS ebook now available

The ebook of Yoga for Singers is now available! It is an ePub, which works on iPad, iPhone, iTouch, Nook, Android, Kobo and Sony Reader. Not on Kindle, unfortunately. So soon I will make a Kindle-friendly pdf available on my website. But for now, buy the ePub or paperback at Lulu.

Yoga for Singers is published!

I am so excited to announce the publication of my book, Yoga for Singers: Freeing Your Voice and Spirit Through Yoga. The culmination of years of work (plus blood, sweat and tears), my book is finally on sale!
CLICK HERE TO BUY!. In 6-8 weeks, it should also be available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other retail outlets.

"B is for Bad Poetry" premieres

On March 21, I returned to Rome to see the senior recital of my former student, Emily Tweedy. In a gorgeous dress suitable for Lakme, she sang the world premiere of a set I wrote for her entitled B is for Bad Poetry. Based on Pamela August Russell's hilarious book, the set seemed to amuse the audience thanks to Emily's witty performance.

Liszt and Lister

Tonight UE presented an evening celebrating the birthdays of Chopin and Liszt. I sang my first Liszt song, the gorgeous "Oh! quand je dors." Although I have always loved this song, for some reason I had never performed it before. I will get to sing it again later this month at another concert, this time with harp. Liszt, Hugo, Petrarch. Nice company indeed...

YFS at UTK

I recently had the pleasure of presenting a Yoga for Singers workshop at the graduate vocal seminar at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Special thanks to their vocal coach/collaborative pianist, the fabulous Patrick Harvey. The book release of YFS is so close I can taste it!!

New job at UNLV

Big change is in the air for me. This fall I will be joining the faculty at the University of Nevada Las Vegas as voice professor and Director of Opera Theatre. I will miss Evansville (especially my Victorian carriage house apartment) but this is an exciting new opportunity. I can't wait to direct opera again! And it will be an adventure exploring Vegas. It's not Paris, but at least I will have my own (faux) Eiffel Tower!

Sookie Stackhouse song premieres

Tonight was the joint voice faculty recital at the University of Evansville. I sang my song cycle Pleas to Famous Fairies, which my former student Laura Collins premiered in 2009. But for this event I wrote a new fairy song "Sookie Stackhouse" in honor of the True Blood character who was recently revealed to be a fairy. The audience laughed at the song's Jersey Shore joke (Sookie-Snooki). And it was great fun to sing the Offenbach Orpheus Fly Duet, the Merry Widow Cavalier duet and an HMS Pinafore trio with my colleagues.

YFS at NOA

I started the new year by giving a presentation at the 2011 National Opera Association convention in San Antonio. Entitled Yoga Breathing and Meditation for Opera Singers, the session focused on using pranayama techniques as well as meditation with mantras, mudras, and chanting. It was great to see former mentors and old friends such as David Holley (UNCG Opera Theatre) and Paul Houghtaling (UA Opera Theatre).

Rejoice greatly: Evansville Philharmonic debut

On Dec. 11 I made my debut with the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra. I was the soprano soloist for two performances of Handel's Messiah. The first was a candlelight concert at Trinity United Methodist Church in Evansville while the second was presented in the Granary in New Harmony. A wonderful way to start the holidays!

Photo: With tenor Steven Stolen.

Holiday Pops at Victory Theatre

The University of Evansville presented its annual Holiday Pops concert downtown at the beautiful Victory Theatre. I got to sing one of my favorites, the Judy Garland classic: "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."

Mood Indigo premieres

Yesterday was the inaugural Mood Indigo jazz jam at UE. We had a good crowd in the Ridgway Center. Today we continued our musical adventures as the pre-show act for WUEV's "Happy Holidays and All That Jazz" concert.

Pictured: Lauren McMillen a.k.a Zooey Deschanel

Singing for our Veterans

This week it was my pleasure to sing at UE's Veteran's Day service. Thanks to all of our veterans (including my uncle Harold Smith). I performed the Star Spangled Banner and "He's Gone Away," which makes me think of Civil War as depicted in the film Cold Mountain.

Making an Impression

On November 3, the University of Evansville's Music Department presented its monthly First Tuesday concert. This month's focus was Impressionism. With my colleague, pianist Anne Fiedler, I performed 3 of Debussy's Ariettes oubliées: Il pleure dans mon coeur, Green, and Spleen. I love these evocative songs!

Photo: with my voice colleague, tenor Dr. Gregory Rike (who sang Duparc)

YFS at UK

On Oct. 28, I presented a Yoga for Singers workshop at the University of Kentucky. It was a presentation for the Voice Pedagogy class of
Dr. Noemi Lugo, Professor of Voice at UK and my high school voice teacher!
I studied with Noemi from ages 15-18 and she coached me through the role of Maria in West Side Story.

Tomorrow I'm doing a yoga session for the members of UE's Phi Mu sorority. It seems that everyone is exploring and enjoying yoga...

3 Finalists at Kentucky NATS

On October 22-23, I took 9 of my UE students to Kentucky NATS at Berea College. 8 of the 9 made the semi-finals and 3 were finalists. I was especially proud of my freshmen women: MacKenzie Sweeney won 1st place and Ali Wregglesworth won 3rd in Freshmen Women, and Michaela Tussey was 3rd in Underclassmen Muscial Theatre. The Kentucky chapter is actually closer for us than the Indiana chapter, and I thought the event was refreshingly well run. It was great to judge with my first voice teacher, Dr. Noemi Lugo, to run into Eric DeForrest, who was a student at SUNY-Fredonia when I had my first college teaching jon, and to meet Cynthia Lawrence and other new Kentucky NATS colleagues.

Weekly YFS begins at UE

This morning I began weekly Yoga for Singers at the University of Evansville. Studying for midterms kept some students away but we had a lovely restorative flow. Maybe next week senior Kayla will bring her seeing-eye dog Oreo to join us in Up and Down Dog.

The Hills of Tomorrow

On September 26, I sang a duet with my colleague tenor Dr. Gregory Rike for the Inaugural Concert in honor of UE's new President Thomas Kazee. Doug Reed accompanied us on the organ as we sang "The Hills of Tomorrow" from Merrily We Roll Along. Sondheim seemed an appropriate choice since Dr. Rike was conducting UE's excellent production of Assassins this weekend. As the song lyric says, "may we come to trust the dreams we must fulfill."

Yoga for Musicians (and Monkeys)

Today I broadened my focus to present Yoga Breathing and Meditation for Musicians at UE's weekly music major seminar hour. I introduced pranayama techniques as well as mudras to help in meditation and to combat performance anxiety. The students especially enjoyed my slide of a meditating lemur, although he seemes to be indecisive about his mudra.

Fun at the Faculty Gala

I made my UE debut at the annual Faculty Gala. It was great fun to sing Norina's aria with an appreciative and responsive audience. But I was overwhelmed by the variety of the program: harp, euphonium, guitar, woodwind quartet with harpsichord, brass quintet, sexy Piazzolla for violin, cello and piano. I am excited about my new instrumentalist colleagues. Still I can't escape Shorter. A Shorter grad from the 1970s was in attendance. A biology major turned Episcopalian pastor, this gentleman from Owensboro, KY was there to remind me of my former colleagues.

Yoga, Spirit, and Community

I have been taking class at a number of yoga studios in town but today I received the most lovely note from the teacher at Evansville Power Yoga. "It's always a gift to have you practicing with us. Much Shanti." I am overwhelmed by his words; they exemplify the yogic philosophy but I was both flattered and humbled. What wonderful energy I feel, and I look forward to practicing in this yoga community.

New Music Dept. website

Check out the newly designed website of the University of Evansville Music Department or visit the Voice Area page to learn about my new colleagues.

Sarah McLachlan, singer/yogi, in concert

Last week I got to see Sarah McLachlan in concert at Chastain Park in Atlanta. I suppose it was a conciliatory concert since Lilith Fair was cancelled throughout the South. Sarah sang well, showing good breath control and impassioned expression. It was timely since she is currently featured on the cover of Yoga Journal.

Tiny Dancer on Penny Lane

I have made the move to Evansville! I am excited to explore the local music scene from the Evansville Philharmonic to the German Männerchor. And on my own block I can enjoy the Penny Lane Coffee House, a cool place for a soy latte or vegan scone, once frequented by Penny Lane herself (Kate Hudson in "Almost Famous").

NATS in SLC: Singing and "Postering"

The National NATS conference in Salt Lake City was a wonderful experience for me. It was literally a trip down memory lane to be in the town where I went to high school while encountering colleagues old and new. I had the pleasure of singing on the Graphite Publishing showcase and presented my poster paper on Yoga Breathing and Meditation for Singers. (To see the paper, click on the Yoga for Singers tab on lindalister.com.) Kelli O'Hara's concert and master class were highlights, especially her hilarious rendition of "Opera-It's an Opry with an A."

Druid City/YFS Thank You

I received a lovely thank you note from the students of the Druid City Opera Workshop:

"Thank you for giving us such a wonderful understanding of our bodies and what yoga can do for us as singers. We'll forever cherish everything you taught us!"

It is so rewarding to help empower performers to sing better, to find vocal and expressive freedom. I look forward to many more YFS workshops.

Clara a.k.a. Kelli O'Hara

The National NATS convention is about a month away, and I am excited about the featured performer: Kelli O'Hara. Originally Kristin Chenoweth had been the featured artist, but I suppose Glee and the Broadway production of Promises, Promises created a scheduling conflict. Kelli should be a good replacement. She has similar crossover appeal yet is a bit less known. The original Clara in The Light in the Piazza, she studied with the same voice teacher Kristin did, Florence Birdwell. What a great name! BTW, Kelli had a cruel cameo in Sex and the City 2, so I have to remind myself that she was just acting and didn't mean to demean Carrie Bradshaw.

Druid City Opera Workshop debuts

This week, the Druid City Opera Workshop debuted in Tuscaloosa, AL. This new summer program was created by Paul Houghtaling of the University of Alabama Opera Theatre. I was thrilled to be invited to teach Yoga for Singers at the workshop as well as coach the young singers on their arias. Here's to many more years for Druid City Opera.

Photo: Coaching singers at the "Acting Your Aria" class, with Kevin Chance at the piano.

University of Evansville

It is time for a big change in my life. After 8 years at Shorter College, I have decided it is time for me to move on, thus I have accepted a position at the University of Evasnville. It is an academically strong school with a strong music department, so I am excited for a new start and a new adventure. Click here to learn more about UE

YFS at University of Alabama

On April 14 I presented Yoga for Singers to the University of Alabama Opera Theatre. Director Paul Houghtaling and his students were energetic and receptive to the workshop, practicing pranayama breathing techniques and learning asanas and mudras especially helpful to singers. Here's to more YFS workshops in the future.

Pictured: Cow face pose

Fairy songs revisited

My student Laura Collins sang two songs from my cycle Pleas to Famous Fairies at the Voice Honors Recital at Celebrate Shorter 2010. Her shimmering soprano voice brought my music and poetry to life, luring the audience with her romantic rendition of "Fairy Godmother" and cheering them with her endearing "Tink."

Southeast Regional NATS Winners

I am so proud of all of my students who sang at the 2010 Southeast Regional NATS at Stetson University on March 26-27. The competition was stiff but my students stayed calm and sang well.


From left to right...
Ryan O'Leary, 3rd place Sophomore Men-Musical Theatre
Moi,
Hannah Freeman, 2nd place Sophomore Women-Musical Theatre, 3rd place Sophomore Women-Classical
Emily Tweedy, 2nd place Junior Women-Musical Theatre
Laura Collins, 1st place Advanced College Women-Musical Theatre

Catch me on Naxos

Both of my recordings on Albany Records, The American Soloist and Midnight Tolls, are now on the Naxos Music Library. Members can hear me singing Rodrigo's Cuatro madrigales amatorios or the world premiere of Lee McQuillan's Seasons of Gold. I had a fabulous time recording these works in Prague with Julius Williams conducting the Dvorak Symphony Orchestra.

Photo L to R: Lee McQuillan, Linda Lister, Julius Williams

Yoga for Singers article in VOICEPrints

For a sneak preview of my Yoga for Singers book, check out the article I wrote for the March/April issue of VOICEPrints, the journal of the New York State Singing Teachers' Association.
Click HERE to read the article pp. 4-5.

Sampling Yoga Workshops

I greatly enjoyed my Character Portraits recital and the audience seemed to as well. Besides working on the program, I have been busy with yoga workshops as of late.

February 27 I attended a workshop at Clear Spring Yoga in Chattanooga. I didn't realize until afterwards that the teacher, Manju Jois, is the son of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois who brought Ashtanga yoga to the U.S. It was an intense experience (my hamstrings took a week to recover!) and the Sanskrit chanting was most interesting.

March 7 I took my first class at Rome's new Spring Stone Yoga studio. Beth Novian Hughes teaches a monthly Yoga and Sound Healing class the first Sunday of every month. Since I was the only one in attendance, I got a private lesson. She shared neat insights into toning on vowels and the power of sound to bring peace and harmony.

Character Portraits Recital on March 8

I am busy preparing for my upcoming recital, Mar. 8 at 7:30 pm in Shorter's Brookes Chapel. My program is a unique exploration of different characters from history, literature, and film: Cleopatra (Handel), Shakespeare's Ophelia (R. Strauss), Madge from Picnic (Libby Larsen), Eliza from My Fair Lady (Lerner and Loewe) and Giselle from Enchanted (Menken/Schwartz). It should be a fun evening of music and drama, with a special surprise thrown in.

NATS winners

I am proud of all of my students who sang at the Georgia NATS Student Auditions at the University of Georgia this weekend. The picture features my three 1st place winners, Hannah Freeman (also Miss Shorter), Laura Collins, and Chris Lewis. All three won their musical theatre categories and impressed at the Winners' Concert with their strong renditions of Jason Robert Brown and Maury Yeston songs.

Exploring Handel's Cleopatra

In preparing for my upcoming recital, I have been exploring the character of Cleopatra from Handel's opera Giulio Cesare (1724). This plum soprano role has 6 arias, everything from the coloratura tour de force "Da tempeste il legno" to the sublime sostenuto of "Se pietà di me non senti." I love the stately sensuality of "V'adoro pupille," while "Piangerò la sorte mia" delves into Cleopatra's dramatic complexity. Notable contemporary Cleopatras have included Beverly Sills and Sylvia McNair.

Voce di Roma premeires

The new chamber choir Voce di Roma will make its debut February 6 at 7:30 pm in Brookes Chapel at Shorter College. Tre Appleby will conduct the Dvořák Te Deum featuring Matthew Hoch, baritone, with myself as the soprano soloist.

From Paris and Pontevedro to Savannah and Chattanooga

It will be a busy week for me: first I will be attending the GMEA (Georgia Music Educators' Association) conference in Savannah and then judging the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera Guild Voice Competition. Meanwhile, I am still reveling in the success of my production of The Merry Widow.

Photo by Chuck Tedder featuring can-can girls/Shorter students Jenica Reed, Anne Marie Kelly, Emily Tweedy, Tareva Moore, Mary Diesch, and Jasmine Habersham.

"The Merry Widow" runs Jan. 22-23

Shorter Opera Theatre proudly presents Franz Lehar's operetta
The Merry Widow. As the stage director and choreographer of the production, I am proud of the talented singers at Shorter, who also get to test their acting and dancing skills in this production. Performances will be at the Rome City Auditorium Jan. 22 and 23 at 7:30 pm. For tickets, please contact boxoffice@shorter.edu .

Photo by Aimee Madden featuring Emily Tweedy as Valencienne in the can-can.

Excerpts from "The Prince of Tides" opera to be premiered

One should always be ready for unexpected opportunities. 2010 is starting with a new-found endeavor for me. Twelve days before the premiere of excerpts from Andy Fowler's opera based on The Prince of Tides, I was called to step in for an ailing singer. My last week of vacation before the spring semester will be spent learning this exciting new work. On January 10, 2010 at the University of South Carolina, Tim Koch of the Carolina Master Chorale will conduct the excerpts from Fowler's new opera. I will sing Savannah, the suicidal sister (played by Melinda Dillon in the movie) as well as young Lila, her mother, in flashbacks. It should be an exciting (and anxious week) as I do my best to prepare my part. For more on Tim Koch and Andy Fowler, please visit the CMC website at CAROLINA MASTER CHORALE .

Poster presentation at NOA/NATS Convention

On January 9, 2010, I will be pleased to present a poster paper at the National Opera Association/National Association of Teachers of Singing convention in Atlanta: First the Words, Then the Music. Based on my doctoral dissertation, my poster is Realizing Rosina: Operatic Realizations of Beaumarchais's Heroine. Pictured is Renee Fleming, the original Rosina in John Corigliano's The Ghosts of Versailles as well as a noted interpreter of Mozart's Countess Rosina Almaviva.

Former student releases CD

My former student Stephanie Schecter has just released her first CD. Entitled Capturing a Moment, the album features her original songs. Stephanie is now a voice major at College of Charleston. Check out her website at MYSPACE .

Student singer/songwriter

My voice student Tanna Key is a an up and coming young singer/songwriter/guitarist playing in Georgia and in Nashville. You can check out her original songs on her website. Watch out Taylor Swift!

TANNAKEY.COM

Website launch!

I am pleased to announce the launch of www.lindalister.com . On my new website, check out my multimedia links to audio and video performances, peruse my photo gallery, or read about Yoga for Singers.

LINDALISTER.COM

"Messiah" with the Rome Symphony Orchestra

On December 5, I have the pleasure of being the soprano soloist for the Rome Symphony Orchestra's Messiah. One must be fearless to sing the fioritura of "Rejoice greatly," which is great fun.

Faculty Gala 2009

My colleague Matthew Hoch and I backstage at the DeSoto Theatre.
I was delighted to sing Marie's aria from The Daughter of the Regiment as well as Mary Liz McNamara's anti-vegetarian song, "Bacon." The irony was not lost, I do believe!

Picnic premieres

This month I had the pleasure of playing Madge in the world premiere of Libby Larsen's opera Picnic. Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by William Inge, Picnic is a haunting investigation of our choices in love and life. Chuck Schneider played Hal, the role made famous by William Holden in the 1955 film. UNCG Opera Theatre director David Holley served as both stage director and librettist. For a review, follow this link: http://www.cvnc.org/reviews/2009/042009/UNCG_Picnic.html .

"Pleas to Famous Fairies" premieres

The song cycle "Pleas to Famous Fairies" premiered on April 6, 2009. Soprano Laura Collins performed the six-song set by composer and poet Linda Lister. The cycle features entreaties to Ariel from "The Tempest," Titania from "A Midsummer Night's Dream," Cinderella's Fairy Godmother, and Tinkerbell from "Peter Pan."

The premiere was part of Ms. Collins' senior recital at 7:30 pm in Shorter College's Brookes Chapel.

Music of the Moors

I am pleased to announce the publication of The Brontës in the World of the Arts by Ashgate. This book examines the artistic endeavors of the Brontës, and my chapter explores operatic and song realizations of their work including my own chamber opera, How Clear She Shines!

SCHUBERT Mass in G

See excerpts from Schubert's Mass in G, which I performed with the Shorter Chorus in April 2008.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGZ7LpB-uGU&feature=related

Sneak peek at Yoga for Singers

Tree pose
Photograph by Maryann Bates
Models: Jasmine Habersham, Megs Free, and myself.
From my upcoming book, Yoga for Singers

Operas for Female Casts from Moon Diva Publishing

Looking for original one-act operas with all-female casts?

How Clear She Shines! (2002)
Music by Linda Lister
Libretto by Linda Lister based on the writings of Anne, Emily and Charlotte Brontë.

Narrated by Charlotte Brontë, How Clear She Shines! is a chamber opera celebrating the accomplishments of her sisters' writings and recounting the tragedies of their early deaths. Charlotte pays tribute to Anne and Emily and also reveals her own strength of character and sisterly devotion.

Your True Calling: Composing in the Shadow of Schumann, Mendelssohn and Mahler (2005)
Music by Alma Mahler Werfel, Clara Wieck Schumann, and Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel
Libretto by Linda Lister

This theatrical evening of Lieder/multimedia one act explores the compositions and love lives of Clara Schumann, Fanny Mendelssohn and Alma Mahler, all three talented and passionate female composers who were forced to subjugate their talents so that the talents of their husband or brother could prevail. Women were still not supposed to be composers in the nineteenth century. In the words of Fanny's father:

"Music will perhaps become your brother Felix’s profession, while for you it can and must only be an ornament, never the root of your being and doing. Remain true to these sentiments and to this line of conduct-they are feminine, and only what is truly feminine is an ornament to your success. You must prepare more earnestly and eagerly for your true calling, the only calling of a young woman-I mean the state of a housewife.”

Available through Moon Diva Publishing. Contact me at llister@shorter.edu.

Recital at Kerrytown

Patrick Harvey and I at our triumphant Michigan recital. From the delicate Schubert, nuanced Debussy, tempestuous Turina to heartfelt Hoiby, our program was exciting and rewarding for us, and hopefully the audience. I look forward to many more collaborations with my talented pal Patrick.

Opera excerpts on You Tube!

Visit the new You Tube site for Shorter's music department at http://www.youtube.com/shortermusic.

You can see excerpts from Shorter Opera Theatre productions I've directed, you can hear me sing with my esteemed colleagues on the Shorter voice faculty, and you can see me do a crazy Isadora Duncan/flapper fusion dance with Jake Haynie, aka Bob.

Yoga for Singers

Shorter's Yoga for Singers class demonstrates Triangle Pose (Bound), a wonderful rib-opening asana.

Fledermaus fun

Hoofing it with Matt Hoch (Falke) as Adele in Seven Hills Opera Theatre's March production of
"Die Fledermaus."

Fanfare review of "Midnight Tolls"

Read the favorable review of Midnight Tolls featuring Lee McQuillan's "Seasons of Gold" at http://www.fanfaremag.com/cr1.html .

Cinderella Recital

Massenet, Sondheim, Richard Rodgers and Walt Disney were all celebrated at my Cinderella recital on 9/11/06. Two of my princes were pianist David Oliver and tenor Brian Nedvin.

http://209.41.184.21/partners/680/public/news745327.html

Prague CD released

On June 6, 2006, the Albany Records CD Midnight Tolls was released. On the album, I sing Lee McQuillan's neo-Romantic song cycle, "Seasons of Gold." For more info, check out the Albany website at http://www.albanyrecords.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=AR&Product_Code=TROY844&Category_Code=a-NR .