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Of today's superstar mezzo-sopranos Anne Sofie von Otter has the most exotic mystique. She doesn't attempt the vocal acrobatics of Rossini (à la Cecilia Bartoli) but specializes in early music and lots of art songs which are a laboratory for her gorgeous voice and innate musicality. The blonde, six-foot-tall Swede joins us today on Soundcheck to share some of her latest project, a CD of art songs from her native country. Also, on Wednesday night at Joe's Pub, Gina Lieshman of Kamikiaze Ground Crew brings some of downtown's top musicians to celebrate Shakespeare's Birthday with original settings of some of the Bard's finest verse. (Yes, it's a few days early, we know, but the home of the New York Shakespeare Festival couldn't let the occasion go by unnoticed.)
Additional Resources:
» Anne Sofie von Otter’s Swedish Songs
» Gina Leishman and Friends: Songs for Shakespeare's Birthday at Joe's Pub