Elizabeth Jacquet de la Guerre (1665-1729) was a child prodigy from a huge family of musicians and instrument makers on both sides of her family tree. She composed three volumes of cantatas, several of which use Biblical women as their subjects - most of these cantatas are intended for a single singer along with continuo.Much 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:Judith AirRecitLe Passage de la mer rougeRécit-Mouvement MarquéRecorded at Morningstar Studios in Norristown, PA."Exactly" Counter - Ellen 3 (7), Toni 1 (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

What happens when poetry born of unbearable grief meets a composer haunted by death? In this episode, we cover the first two songs of Mahler’s Kindertotenlieder, uncovering how Rückert’s words and Mahler’s music fuse into an unflinching meditation on loss, memory, grief, and love. With baritone Samuel Kidd and pianist 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.

Barbara Strozzi (1619-1677) was a prolific composer of secular chamber music, publishing eight volumes of her works, more than most men of her time period. She composed almost exclusively for voice and continuo, with just one volume including works with ensembles, and she never composed nor sang opera.Much of the information this season comes from Karin Pendle's Women and Music: A History.Musical clips performed by Toni Marie Palmertree, soprano, Andrew Schucker, countertenor, and Ellen Rissinger, piano:Spesso per entro al petto (found in Women Composers – A Heritage of Song High Voice * Low Voice)Amore è bandito (found in 24 Italian Songs & Arias by Women Composers)Sul Rodano severoI baci (duet with Andrew and Toni)Recorded at Morningstar Studios in Norristown, PA."Exactly" Counter - Ellen 1 (3), Toni 0 (1)***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 @ToniMariePalmertreeAndrew Schucker is a student of Toni Marie Palmertree.

Our guest celebrity this month, the astounding B.E. Boykin, may seem like an old friend. That's because she's the co-conspirator with last month's guest, Sidney Outlaw, having composed the amazing new cycle 26 Ways of Looking at a Black Man, found on Sidney and Warren Jones' new album, Black Pierrot. We were inspired by her unique story and can-do attitude in her pursuit of composing, despite numerous rejections along the way. But with cheerleaders like Dorothy Rudd Moore telling her to keep going for the love of it, how could she possibly have given up? Thank the #TeamArtSong gods she never did - we're all for the better having her songs in our world.Stick around for a great conversation between Laura and Sam on how to advocate for the continued celebration of new music, including bringing audiences along. Thanks for the question, Edson!***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.

Francesca Caccini (1587-1640) came from a very important musical family, studying music with her father alongside her brother and sister. A noted singer and voice teacher as well, Francesca spent much of her musical career working in the Medici court. She composed the first extant opera by a woman and the first Italian opera that was performed outside of Italy.Much of the information this season comes from Karin Pendle's Women and Music: A History.Musical clips performed by Toni Marie Palmertree, soprano, Troy Cook, baritone, and Ellen Rissinger, piano:Primo libro delle musiche a una e due vociEcco ch'io verso il sangueRegina coeliFresche aurette (duet)Non so se quel sorriso (also found in 24 Italian Songs & Arias by Women Composers)You can also find music by Francesca's sister Settimia in the 24 Italian Songs & Arias by Women Composers.Recorded at Morningstar Studios in Norristown, PA."Exactly" Counter--Ellen 2, Toni 1 ***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/