Sony Classical to give four Shirley Verrett recordings first release on CD
Sony Classical is to release four
RCA Victor LP recordings by
mezzo-soprano Shirley Verrett on CD for the first time.
The recordings include her Carnegie Hall recital on 30 January 1965, which included songs by Schubert, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Copland and three traditional American pieces; and, from the same year, Falla’s Seven Popular Spanish Songs coupled with songs by Nin, Granados, Obradors, Turina and Montsalvatge. On both discs she is accompanied by the pianist
Charles Wadsworth.
Also due for release are Singin’ in the Storm, a collection of protest songs recorded in 1966, with Leonard de Paur conducting an uncredited chorus and orchestra; and a collection of Vocal Music by Vivaldi, including the Stabat Mater (RV 621), recorded the following year with the Polyphonic Ensemble of Rome under director Nino Antonellini and the Virtuosi di Roma conducted by Renato Fasano.
All four releases will be available in digital download and disc-on-demand formats.
Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Verrett battled against early color prejudice to become one of the most successful American singers of
her generation. She died, at the age of 79, on 5 November, 2010.
