In the 1800s, women in America were mostly only allowed to compose "Parlor Songs", sentimental pieces that were intended to be sung at home by amateurs rather than on the recital stage. But there are a lot of beautiful pieces that came out of this time period! This episode focuses on Augusta Browne (1820-1882), Jane Sloman (1824-after 1850), and Faustina Hasse Hodges (1823-1895).Musical clips performed by Toni Marie Palmertree, soprano, and Ellen Rissinger, piano:Browne-The Courier DoveBrowne-The Song of the SkylarkSloman-Queen of the NightHodges-The Dreary Day Recorded at Morningstar Studios in Norristown, PA."Exactly" counter--Ellen 2 (21), Toni 1 (4)***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

Josephine Lang (1815-1880) came from a musical family in Munich and her musical talent developed very early. She composed her first songs at age 13 and has about 150 Lieder to her credit, many of which were published by major publishing houses during her lifetime. Her songs are full-on Romantic, with incredible melodies and often a wide range required of the singer with a somewhat operatic sweep.Musical clips performed by Toni Marie Palmertree, soprano, Troy Cook, baritone, and Ellen Rissinger, piano:All of these songs are found in Josephine Lang: Selected Songs. Hildegard Publishing also has published two volumes of her songs.O sehntest du dich so nach mirScheideblick (sung by Troy)Lied (Immer sich rein)Ob ich manchmal dein gedenkeUnd wüssten's die Blumen (sung by Troy)Recorded at Morningstar Studios in Norristown, PA."Exactly" counter--Ellen 3 (19), Toni 1 (3)***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 find out more about Troy Cook on his website, https://www.troycookbaritone.com/

After inviting a direct deposit from a Nigerian prince to help fund their greatest song commissioning desires, Laura and Sam had the pleasure to speak with Darryl Taylor, countertenor, teacher, founder of the African American Art Song Alliance, and an all-around people connector. Through his advocacy, research, teachings, and recording projects, America has taken significant steps towards celebrating and programming songs beyond the contents of the iconic Willis C. Patterson Anthology of Art Songs by Black American Composers.Settle in to hear Darryl's origin story, his professional trajectory, how he transitioned from being a tenor to countertenor, and how far he's come since his founding of the Alliance in 1997. And stream his and Louise Toppin's new two-disc album, Dear Friends & Gentle Hearts: African American Art Song Essentials, on Apple and Spotify!***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.

Emilie Zumsteeg's (1796-1857) father was a composer and her mother owned a music store, so her natural abilities were encouraged early. She made a living teaching voice and piano, and was a well-known composer in her time, with at least 60 Lieder, which were considered innovative by her contemporaries. Musical clips performed by Toni Marie Palmertree, soprano, and Ellen Rissinger, piano:Die Unschuld (9 Lieder)Das Epheublättchen (9 Lieder)Die Kapelle (6 Lieder)Der Sternenhimmel (6 Lieder)Recorded at Morningstar Studios in Norristown, PA."Exactly" counter--Ellen 5 (16), Toni 0 (2)***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

Part 2 of our exploration of Gustav Mahler's transcendental work Kindertotenlieder. With baritone Samuel Kidd and Christina Lalog Seal.Follow the Lieder is a production of Cincinnati Song Initiative. You can learn more about their network of podcasts at cincinnatisonginitiative.org/podcasts.