Robert Owens (1925-2017) funded his musical studies in Europe on the GI bill after serving in the military. He lived most of his adult life in Germany and in addition to composing, he was also a much-sought-after actor! All of his scores are available at Classical Vocal Reprints, and he has lots of songs in English, French, and German to choose from.Recordings featured in this episode, performed by Hanna Atsedewoin, soprano, Ricky L. Owens, Jr., countertenor, and Ellen Rissinger, pianist:Op 14 Heart On The Wall (sung by Hanna)Havanna DreamsGirlOp 101 Rimbaud Cabaret (sung by Ricky)Rages de CésarsRecorded at the Carnegie Mellon School of Music Recording Studio in Pittsburgh, PA, and The Church Recording Studio in Pittsburgh, PA.Listen to the orchestrated version of Heart On The Wall: Havanna Dreams sung by Louise Toppin with the Dvořak Symphony Orchestra.Listen to the complete Rimbaud-Cabaret sung by Darryl Taylor with Maria Thompson Corley on piano.***So Lit Song Lit is a production of Cincinnati Song Initiative. You can learn more about its network of podcasts at cincinnatisonginitiative.org/podcasts.You can follow Ellen and The Diction Police on Facebook and at www.dictionpolice.com.You can follow Toni Marie on Facebook at Toni Marie Palmertree, soprano and Instagram @ToniMariePalmertreeYou can follow Hanna Atsedewoin on Instagram @hanna_atseFor more information on Ricky L. Owens, Jr., countertenor, visit his website.

Follow the Lieder is doing its best Voldemort impression.... WE'RE BACK BABY! Join us as we do a long-awaited deep dive into the life of Johannes Brahms, followed by a performance of Botschaft by tenor Logan Wagner and pianist Kirill Kuzmin. With co-host Brian Sikich.Raisin Brahms CommercialFollow the Lieder is a production of Cincinnati Song Initiative. You can learn more about its network of podcasts at cincinnatisonginitiative.org/podcasts.

Valerie Capers (b. 1935) was Juilliard's first blind student pianist, earning both her bachelor's and master's degrees there, and at the encouragement of her brother has gone on to become a noted jazz pianist (if you want to hear her play, check out this YouTube video). Song of the Seasons is her only song cycle, and it definitely should be in the standard repertoire! She also composed an operatorio based on the life of Sojourner Truth.Our special guest today is Dr. Louise Toppin, a coloratura soprano who has sung all over the world, who teaches at University of Michigan, and who also runs Videmus, a non-profit arts organisation that produces concerts and recordings.Recordings featured in this episode, performed by Aliyah Quill, soprano, Rachel Boll, cello, and Ellen Rissinger, piano:Song of the Seasons:I SpringIV WinterII SummerIII AutumnRecorded at  the Carnegie Mellon School of Music Recording Studio in Pittsburgh, PA.The African American Art Song Alliance has the complete recording of Anita Johnson singing Song of the Seasons with Timothy Holley on cello and Susan Gray on piano, the recording that Louise mentioned at the start of the episode!***So Lit Song Lit is a production of Cincinnati Song Initiative. You can learn more about its network of podcasts at cincinnatisonginitiative.org/podcasts.You can follow Ellen and The Diction Police on Facebook and at www.dictionpolice.com.You can follow Toni Marie on Facebook at Toni Marie Palmertree, soprano and Instagram @ToniMariePalmertreeAliyah Quill and Rachel Boll are students of Carnegie Mellon University.

We're kicking off Season 5 with a fantastic and varied conversation with the singular Oliver Camacho. This singer, radio host (WFMT Listening to Singers with Oliver Camacho), podcast host (Opera Box Score), opera reviewer, and all-around smart dude  has great insight and spicy opinions. From the latest trends in song to his favorite new recordings to the podcast pro's advice for newbie host Laura, we cover it all. Let's get into it.***Have a question you want answered by Laura and Sam on a future episode? Share your thoughts with a voice memo or written note through our new #TeamArtSong Mailbag!Submit a phenomenal artist in your local community for a shoutout in our Songsters in Your Neighborhood segment!***Song Cycle is a production of Cincinnati Song Initiative. You can learn more about its network of podcasts at cincinnatisonginitiative.org/podcasts.

Welcome to Season 5, and meet your new co-host, Laura Strickling! She's one of the coolest, most entrepreneurial singers around, and we can't wait to get into some great conversations with her and her friends. Got something to say? Share it with our new #TeamArtSong Mailbag! Submit a question for Laura and Sam to answer on a future episode. From career advice to repertoire and programming ideas to shedding light on the ins and outs of this ever-changing industry, we hope to have a conversation with you. Come along for the ride!***Song Cycle is a production of Cincinnati Song Initiative. You can learn more about its network of podcasts at cincinnatisonginitiative.org/podcasts.