Ever wonder what the composer-librettist relationship is like? We do, too, and that's why we asked our good friend, composer Lori Laitman, and the star librettist Caitlin Vincent to join us and discuss their collaboration. It's a really interesting discussion that provides a glimpse into the process of how song and opera texts come to life when both the author and composer are around to work together.Purchase Caitlin's book Opera Wars here! ***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!Nominate 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.

Norwegian composer Agathe Backer-Gröndahl (1847-1907) studied piano with Franz Liszt and became a concert pianist well-known for performing Chopin and Beethoven. She took some time off performing when she married, but when her husband supported her return to performing, she started playing her own music!In case you want to try the Tongue Twister we mentioned: Im dichten Fichtendickicht nicken dicke Fichten tüchtigMuch of the information this season comes from Karin Pendle's Women and Music: A History.Musical clips performed by Toni Marie Palmertree, soprano, and Ellen Rissinger, piano:Op 14 Deutsche LiederNo 1 Ein FichtenbaumNo 5 UnruheOp 60 Deutsche LiebesliederNo 3 Namenloses WehNo 5 Es muss was Wunderbares seinRecorded at Morningstar Studios in Norristown, PA.Exactly Counter--Ellen 1, Toni 0***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 @ToniMariePalmertree

In this episode we discuss the character of Mignon (from Goethe’s Wilhelm Meister’s Apprenticeship), the mysterious child performer whose longing, music, and devotion make her a most unforgettable figure. Featuring Hugo Wolf's Kennst du das Land? performed by soprano Siân Dicker and pianist Krystal Tunnicliffe.Watch the performance on YouTubeMore about Siân DickerMore about Krystal Tunnicliffe Find me on YouTube!Follow the Lieder is a production of Cincinnati Song Initiative. You can learn more about their network of podcasts at cincinnatisonginitiative.org/podcasts.

Clara Kathleen Rogers (1844-1931) was the youngest child of a British opera composer (John Barnett), who studied music at the conservatory in Leipzig, Germany. She became a prima donna opera singer in Italy under the pseudonym Clara Doria before settling in the US in Boston, MA. She went on to join the music faculty at the New England Conservatory of music and she wrote a book on English Diction!Musical clips performed by Toni Marie Palmertree, soprano, and Ellen Rissinger, piano:Op 27 Browning Songs, First SeriesApparitionsAh, Love, but a DayThe Year's at the SpringOp 32 Browning Songs, Second SeriesMy StarRecorded at Morningstar Studios in Norristown, PA.Exactly Counter--Ellen 2, Toni 0***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 @ToniMariePalmertree

You know him as Robert Bosworth, Trained Musician™️ on Instagram and TikTok, but now it's time to get to know the real pianist behind the curtain! Hear directly from the lovable social media personality that's taking off like a rocket on what his journey has been like, what advice he has for the up-and-coming generation of classical artists, and why it's so important that we all develop our own musical thoughts without following the legacies before us blindly. Come for the giggles, stay for some serious truths!***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!Nominate 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.