Countermelody
Countermelody is a new podcast devoted to the glories of the human voice raised in song. Singer and vocal aficionado Daniel Gundlach explores great classical and opera singers of the past and present with the help of guests from the classical music field: singers, conductors, composers, coaches, agents, and voice teachers. Daniel’s lifetime in music as a professional countertenor, pianist, vocal coach, voice teacher, and journalist yields an exciting array of anecdotes, impressions, and “inside stories.” At Countermelody’s core is the interaction between singers of all stripes, their instruments, and the connection they make to the words they sing. Please also visit the Countermelody website for updates, additional content, and to pledge your support. www.countermelodypodcast.com
- Update frequency
- every 3 days
- Average duration
- 91 minutes
- Episodes
- 323
- Years Active
- 2021 - 2025
Episode 294. Dusty Springfield Revisited
Armed with happy memories of our sojourn to London, which just ended yesterday, I decided to pay tribute today to another favorite British singer of mine, this time in the pop realm, the indescribabl…
01:03:46 |
Tue 01 Oct 2024
Episode 293. The Mysterious Mara Coleva
The Bulgarian soprano Mara Coleva (12 March 1922 - 22 October 2014) was a vital and versatile singer, the majority of whose career took place in Italy in the 1950s through the very early sixties. Her…
01:03:15 |
Fri 27 Sep 2024
Episode 292. Ian Partridge Revisited
David and I leave tomorrow on a short jaunt to London, my first visit there in absolute ages. As a result, I have had my favorite British singers very much in mind. In 2023, the quintessential Britis…
01:29:46 |
Tue 24 Sep 2024
Episode 291. A Bevy of Bachian Contraltos
This week I pull out all the Baroque stops (appropriately enough), to present you with an episode chock full of contraltos, all singing the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. I have chosen 28 different …
01:31:00 |
Sun 22 Sep 2024
Episode 290. Ileana Cotrubaș Revisited
More than four years ago, I published my very first bonus episode on Patreon, which I offer here in a fancy new setting and with a wonderful new coda. When I first published an episode on the great I…
01:34:09 |
Tue 17 Sep 2024
Episode 289. Meet Vera Little
On Monday June 3, 2024, a new memorial plaque commemorating African American mezzo-soprano Vera Little (10 December 1928 – 24 October 2012) was unveiled at her former residence in Berlin’s Charlotten…
01:02:32 |
Sun 15 Sep 2024
Episode 288. Teresa Żylis-Gara Revisited
Today I revisit the life, career, and sumptuous voice of the great Polish soprano Teresa Żylis-Gara, who died three years ago on 28 August 2021 at the age of 91. The soprano was for the most part sho…
01:24:29 |
Tue 10 Sep 2024
Episode 287. Meet Hugo Hasslo
Unless by some miracle you know him already, the Swedish baritone Hugo Hasslo (1911 – 1994), is almost certainly the greatest baritone you never heard of. I discovered him entirely by accident years …
00:51:43 |
Sat 07 Sep 2024
Episode 286. Julia Varady Revisited
This week, the sublime Julia Varady celebrated her 83rd birthday, and here at Countermelody that is an occasion well worth commemorating and celebrating. I’m newly home in Berlin, but with a huge pil…
01:21:22 |
Tue 03 Sep 2024
Episode 285. Edda Moser Reappraised
Lately I have been doing a series of episodes on artists that in my opinion deserve a reassessment, a second glance, if you will. Edda Moser is almost universally regarded as the “best” Queen of the …
01:32:57 |
Sat 31 Aug 2024
Episode 284. Claudia Muzio Revisited
Claudia Muzio was known as “the Duse of Song,” a title that might be lost somewhat in time, since it refers to the great stage actress Eleanora Duse, felt to rank among the greatest actresses of all …
01:16:43 |
Tue 27 Aug 2024
Episode 283. Betty Allen
Betty Allen has been featured on countless omnibus Countermelody episodes, but it’s time for her to get her own episode! Born in Ohio on 17 March, 1927, she died at the age of 82 on 22 June 2009. Not…
01:23:25 |
Sun 25 Aug 2024
Episode 282. Janet Baker @ 91
How can it even be that our beloved Janet Baker is turning 91 today? I have been so moved by all the tributes pouring in and I feel compelled to add my humble wishes to all the others.
Last year whi…
Last year whi…
01:29:54 |
Wed 21 Aug 2024
Episode 281. La Scottissima
I began work on this episode on the one-year anniversary of the death of Renata Scotto, perhaps the most beloved of my many dearly-loved divas. But I have been thinking about and planning it ever sin…
01:49:05 |
Mon 19 Aug 2024
Episode 280. Heather Harper Revisited
The beloved Irish soprano Heather Harper died at the age of 88 on 22 April 2019 in London. In music ranging from the Baroque through the modern eras, she displayed an easy mastery as did very few oth…
01:25:42 |
Tue 13 Aug 2024
Episode 279. Ernst Kozub Reappraised
Have you heard of the remarkable German Heldentenor Ernst Kozub? If you haven’t, you’re in for a special treat. And if you have, you know doubt have preconceived notions about him, which I hope that …
01:35:15 |
Sun 11 Aug 2024
Episode 278. George Shirley Revisited
This August I shall be supplementing each new episode published with a first-time general posting of bonus episodes which were originally available only for my Patreon subscribers. Today, in the firs…
01:10:10 |
Thu 08 Aug 2024
Episode 277. Benjamin Luxon In Memoriam
Last week on July 25th, the music world was saddened by the death of the Cornish baritone Benjamin Luxon at the age of 87. I began collecting recordings of this exceptional artist a few years ago wit…
01:41:00 |
Sun 04 Aug 2024
Episode 276. Jules Bledsoe (Listeners’ Favorites)
Ten days ago I reposted an episode celebrating the life and career of Paul Robeson, legendary for many reasons, but particularly remembered for his iconic and powerful performances of “Ol’ Man River.…
01:31:20 |
Mon 29 Jul 2024
Episode 275. Margaret Tynes (Listeners’ Favorites)
On March 7, 2024, the legendary African American soprano Margaret Tynes died at the age of 104. During the second season of Countermelody, I featured the singer, who at the time was a mere 101 years …
01:09:53 |
Sat 27 Jul 2024
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