Before Breakfast/Lady Macbeth

Lauren Flanigan (soprano), Joseph Illick (piano), Voices of Change Chamber Ensemble

Catalog #: TROY1083
Release Date: December 1, 2008
Format: Digital
Vocal

These are first recordings of two dramatic works by American composer Thomas Pasatieri. Written for Beverly Sills, Before Breakfast dates from 1978 and has an unusual history (including having the original score accidentally thrown in the trash by the maid). After an unsuccessful performance the score was put away and it wasn't until 2002 that it was revived and revised for Lauren Flanagan. Flanagan was the inspiration for Lady Macbeth and premiered the work in 2008 with the forces on this recording.

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Track Listing

Title Composer Performer
Before Breakfast Thomas Pasatieri Lauren Flanigan, soprano, Voices of Change Chamber Ensemble, Joseph Illick, conductor
Lady Macbeth Thomas Pasatieri Lauren Flanigan, soprano, Joseph Illick, piano

Reviews

  • "Lauren Flanigan illuminates a pair of Thomas Pasatieri musical monologues...we have Pasatieri's proven knacks for melody, mood-setting and, above all, rewarding vocal effects... Lady Macbeth's third scene...is unequivocally vocal, with Flanigan hurling melismatic lightning bolts that make you shiver. ...the wordless vocal arias near the end...have a great impact in Flanigan's rich upper register. ...Flanigan's exploration of the character is varied, feminine, monstrous but not over the top, and in the end, it is extremely moving."

    – Opera News

  • "This is just the kind of material that inspires Flanigan to the dramatic heights. And does she ever soar!...She is a most compelling actress...Add all this vocal drama to a carefully constructed score that supports the texts and it's quite a show."

    – American Record Guide

*Album cover provided for Editorial use only. ©Albany Records. The Albany Imprint is a registered trademark of PARMA Recordings LLC. The views and opinions expressed in this media are those of the artist and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views and opinions held by PARMA Recordings LLC and its label imprints, subsidiaries, and affiliates.