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Marlene Dietrich recorded a version of "Lili Marlene" (Photo by CLEMENS BILAN/AFP/Getty Images)Story of a Soldier's Anthem
During World War II, a song about a young woman longing for her sweetheart was popular with German soldiers as well as the Allies. On the eve of Veterans' Day, we look back at an unusual crossover hit, "Lili Marlene." Plus: New York-based singer-songwriter Alfonso Velez performs live.
Provocative director leaves City Opera, opera fans wonder: what next?
On Friday, it was announced that the New York City Opera and its new director, the Belgian-born impresario Gerard Mortier, are parting ways. Mortier was to have brought a provocative, even risky agenda to the company, with major 20th century operas and new works a key priority. As the company grapple with its next move, we look today at what happened. Joining us is James Jorden editor of the opera blog Parterre.com.
Love, Longing and "Lili Marlene"
"Lili Marlene" was the unlikely anthem of the World War II, a song popular with German and Allied soldiers. The love song -- about a young woman waiting for her lover to return from the battlefield -- began as a poem written by a German soldier during World War I. On the eve of Veteran's Day, we look at the fascinating story of this song with Liel Leibovitz and Matthew Miller, authors of "Lili Marlene: The Solders’ Song of World War II."
Soundcheck blog: The remarkable story of Lili Marlene.
"Lili Marlene: The Solders’ Song of World War II" on Amazon.com
Video: Lale Andersen version of Lili Marlene
Lili Marlene: The Solders' Song of World War II Web site
Alfonso Velez
The son of a Mexican mathematician and a Cuban architect, Alfonso Velez was raised in Mexico City and later lived in Buenos Aires and Moscow. He earned his chops as a member of the Washington, D.C. indie band Monopoli. His solo work is filled with folk-style fingerpicking and high, sweet vocals, and he draws comparisons to Elliott Smith and Paul Simon. Velez and his band join us for a live performance.
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Sound Off
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Throughout May, Soundcheck presents “Sound Off” a Friday series on the many aspects of noise in music and our lives. The series -- which coincides with “Better Hearing and Speech Month” -- looks at issues like New York’s noisiest neighborhoods, the latest research on iPods and hearing loss, and what happens when noise becomes a musical ingredient.
