So Lit Song Lit

Poldowski (née Régine Wieniawski) (1879-1932) was born in Brussels to an exceptionally musical family. Her father was Polish and her mother British, and eventually she moved to London for the remainder of her life. The Verlaine settings have a great deal of French influence; she also has a set of songs of William Blake poems. Musical clips performed by Toni Marie Palmertree, soprano, and Ellen Rissinger, piano: Songs to Texts by Paul Verlaine: Spleen Mandoline L'heure exquise Fantoches Recorded at Morningstar Studios in Norristown, PA. *** 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 This episode is sponsored by Carnegie Mellon University. Learn more about CMU and apply today.

For your "Twix-bar of an episode", today we are talking about Jane Vieu (1871-1955) and Mel Bonis (1858-1937). Jane Vieu started composing at age 11 and studied composition with Massenet. Mel Bonis had rather Wagnerian-opera life story, due to her parents' attempts to control her--she became a musician despite their machinations. For anyone who has never heard Anna Russell, check out the YouTube clip of her with Canto dolciamente pipo (her Italian is intentionally not perfect!). Musical clips performed by Toni Marie Palmertree, soprano, and Ellen Rissinger, piano: Vieu (found in Anthology of Songs, the score is available from many libraries and through ILL): Belle au bois dormant Chanson fleurie Bonis: Le chat sur le toit Recorded at Morningstar Studios in Norristown, PA. Exactly Counter: Ellen 1, 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 @ToniMariePalmertree This episode is sponsored by Carnegie Mellon University. Learn more about CMU and apply today.

Carrie Jacobs-Bond (1862-1946) was the most successful song composer of the late 19th-early 20th centuries, combing Parlor Songs with traditional art song and creating her own publishing company to support herself as a single mother. She had songs that sold over 25 million copies--in the 1910s! She also self-published her own autobiography, The Roads of Melody. 11 Small Songs as Unpretentious as the Wild Rose Where Youth's Eternal 7 Songs as Unpretentious as the Wild Rose I Love You Truly 11 Small Songs as Unpretentious as the Wild Rose Tis Summer In Thine Eyes Half-Minute Songs Musical clips performed by Toni Marie Palmertree, soprano, and Ellen Rissinger, piano: Recorded at Morningstar Studios in Norristown, PA. Exactly Counter--Ellen 0!!!, Toni 0 *** 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 This episode is sponsored by Carnegie Mellon University. Learn more about CMU and apply today.

Cécile Chaminade (1857-1944) studied music privately with teachers from the Paris Conservatory and began her professional career as a chamber music pianist. Her compositions include 135 songs for voice and piano and 200 piano pieces. She toured Europe as a concert pianist, playing mostly her own works, which made her so popular that even in the US there were salons dedicated to her music! 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: Écrin L'été Viens, mon bien-aimé! L'amour captif Recorded at Morningstar Studios in Norristown, PA. Exactly Counter--Ellen 3, Toni 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 This episode is sponsored by Carnegie Mellon University. Learn more about CMU and apply today.

Norwegian composer Agathe Backer-Gröndahl (1847-1907) studied piano with Franz Liszt and became a concert pianist well-known for performing Chopin and Beethoven. She took some time off performing when she married, but when her husband supported her return to performing, she started playing her own music! In case you want to try the Tongue Twister we mentioned: Im dichten Fichtendickicht nicken dicke Fichten tüchtig 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: Op 14 Deutsche Lieder No 1 Ein Fichtenbaum No 5 Unruhe Op 60 Deutsche Liebeslieder No 3 Namenloses Weh No 5 Es muss was Wunderbares sein Recorded at Morningstar Studios in Norristown, PA. Exactly Counter--Ellen 1, Toni 0 *** 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 This episode is sponsored by Carnegie Mellon University. Learn more about CMU and apply today.

Clara Kathleen Rogers (1844-1931) was the youngest child of a British opera composer (John Barnett), who studied music at the conservatory in Leipzig, Germany. She became a prima donna opera singer in Italy under the pseudonym Clara Doria before settling in the US in Boston, MA. She went on to join the music faculty at the New England Conservatory of music and she wrote a book on English Diction! Musical clips performed by Toni Marie Palmertree, soprano, and Ellen Rissinger, piano: Op 27 Browning Songs, First Series Apparitions Ah, Love, but a Day The Year's at the Spring Op 32 Browning Songs, Second Series My Star Recorded at Morningstar Studios in Norristown, PA. Exactly Counter--Ellen 2, Toni 0 *** 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 This episode is sponsored by Carnegie Mellon University. Learn more about CMU and apply today.

Elfrida Andrée (1841-1929) was a leader in the equal rights movement in Sweden--she fought to change the law that kept women from church jobs, and was one of the first women to be appointed as organist of a church in Sweden. Her sister became an opera singer and Elfrida made a career as a conductor as well as organist and composer. We mentioned the Swedish Musical Heritage website, where they are cataloguing and uploading scores of Swedish composers. Look for the little crown emblem for songs that are available for download. If you want to study up on your Swedish diction, check out Anna Hersey's Scandinavian Song, a diction book that covers Swedish, Norwegian, and Danish. 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: Opus 8 (Three songs with piano) (the score download is available at the bottom of the page) En vacker höstdag Vi ses igen Visa en vårmorgon Recorded at Morningstar Studios in Norristown, PA. "Exactly" counter--Ellen 1, Toni 0 *** 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 This episode is sponsored by Carnegie Mellon University. Learn more about CMU and apply today.

We're wrapping up 2025 by bringing Cincinnati Song Initiative's podcast hosts together for our annual Holiday Party! Join us in looking back on a wonderful year with peaks and pits from all of our hosts, then test your knowledge with games like "Guess that Song" and "Two Truths and a Lie: Composer Edition." Which composer walked the streets of Paris with a hammer in his suit pocket? Which composers did - and didn't - study with Nadia Boulanger? (Spoiler: even our hosts get stumped plenty of times!) Thanks for a great year of song, and here's to a musically rewarding 2026! Follow Song Cycle with Sam Martin and Laura Strickling here. Follow Follow the Lieder with Mandee Madrid-Sikich here. *** 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 This episode is sponsored by Carnegie Mellon University. Learn more about CMU and apply today.

Ingeborg Bronsart (1840-1913) was a concert pianist who continued her musical career even after her marriage. She was close with many of the important composers of the time, including Berlioz and Wagner, as well as studying piano with Lizst. Bronsart also composed operas, which shines through in her Lieder compositions! Musical clips performed by Toni Marie Palmertree, soprano, and Ellen Rissinger, piano: Die Loreley Op. 25 Drei LiederSang wohl, sang das Vogelei Heidenröslein Ich stand in dunkeln Träumen Abendlied (Op. 16 No. 1) Recorded at Morningstar Studios in Norristown, PA. *** 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 This episode is sponsored by Carnegie Mellon University. Learn more about CMU and apply today.

Pauline Viardot (1821-1910) was one of the most important musicians of her time. An opera singer and concert pianist as well as a composer, she spoke at least 5 languages fluently and composed stylistically correct in each of those languages! She also taught voice and composed many of her songs to teach her students. This episode focuses on her French mélodies. We are very excited to have Dr. Melanie Taylor, soprano, with us for this episode; she did her doctoral thesis on Pauline Viardot's songs, and has lots of incredible stories of her life to share with us! Her thesis was titled The Songs of Pauline Viardot-Garcia: Proposed Alternatives to Commonly Assigned Repertoire in the University Voice Studio. Musical clips performed by Toni Marie Palmertree, soprano, and Ellen Rissinger, piano: Havanaise Haï luli Bonjour mon cœur Mazurka No. 31 in Ab (Chopin) Seize ans Recorded at Morningstar Studios in Norristown, PA. *** 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 You can find out more about Dr. Melanie Taylor at her website. This episode is sponsored by Carnegie Mellon University. Learn more about CMU and apply today.

In the 1800s, women in America were mostly only allowed to compose "Parlor Songs", sentimental pieces that were intended to be sung at home by amateurs rather than on the recital stage. But there are a lot of beautiful pieces that came out of this time period! This episode focuses on Augusta Browne (1820-1882), Jane Sloman (1824-after 1850), and Faustina Hasse Hodges (1823-1895). Musical clips performed by Toni Marie Palmertree, soprano, and Ellen Rissinger, piano: Browne-The Courier Dove Browne-The Song of the Skylark Sloman-Queen of the Night Hodges-The Dreary Day  Recorded at Morningstar Studios in Norristown, PA. "Exactly" counter--Ellen 2 (21), Toni 1 (4) *** 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 This episode is sponsored by Carnegie Mellon University. Learn more about CMU and apply today.

Apply for the 100% free 2026 Fellowship of the Song by November 2! Josephine Lang (1815-1880) came from a musical family in Munich and her musical talent developed very early. She composed her first songs at age 13 and has about 150 Lieder to her credit, many of which were published by major publishing houses during her lifetime. Her songs are full-on Romantic, with incredible melodies and often a wide range required of the singer with a somewhat operatic sweep. Musical clips performed by Toni Marie Palmertree, soprano, Troy Cook, baritone, and Ellen Rissinger, piano: All of these songs are found in Josephine Lang: Selected Songs. Hildegard Publishing also has published two volumes of her songs. O sehntest du dich so nach mir Scheideblick (sung by Troy) Lied (Immer sich rein) Ob ich manchmal dein gedenke Und wüssten's die Blumen (sung by Troy) Recorded at Morningstar Studios in Norristown, PA. "Exactly" counter--Ellen 3 (19), Toni 1 (3) *** 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 You can find out more about Troy Cook on his website, https://www.troycookbaritone.com/ This episode is sponsored by Carnegie Mellon University. Learn more about CMU and apply today.

Apply for the 100% free 2026 Fellowship of the Song by November 2! Emilie Zumsteeg's (1796-1857) father was a composer and her mother owned a music store, so her natural abilities were encouraged early. She made a living teaching voice and piano, and was a well-known composer in her time, with at least 60 Lieder, which were considered innovative by her contemporaries.  Musical clips performed by Toni Marie Palmertree, soprano, and Ellen Rissinger, piano: Die Unschuld (9 Lieder) Das Epheublättchen (9 Lieder) Die Kapelle (6 Lieder) Der Sternenhimmel (6 Lieder) Recorded at Morningstar Studios in Norristown, PA. "Exactly" counter--Ellen 5 (16), Toni 0 (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 This episode is sponsored by Carnegie Mellon University. Learn more about CMU and apply today.

Apply for the 100% free 2026 Fellowship of the Song by November 2! Louise Reichardt (1779-1826) came from a musical family in Berlin, and grew up to be a composer and choral conductor, establishing a choral society in Hamburg, Germany. Her Italian songs have a bel canto feel to them, and her German Lieder tend more toward folk melodies. Her mother Juliane was also a composer; some of her songs are available on IMSLP and more can be sourced through inter-library loan. 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: Ombre amene a mi che piante (Sei canzoni di Metastasio) Non turbar  quand io me lagno (Sei canzoni di Metastasio) Für die Laute (Louise Reichardt: Songs)  Die Blume der Blumen (Louise Reichardt: Songs) There are also pieces by Louise Reichardt in 24 Italian Songs and Arias by Women Composers and Joys Abiding: Soprano and Baritone Duets by Historical Women Composers. Recorded at Morningstar Studios in Norristown, PA. "Exactly" counter--Ellen 2 (11), Toni 0 (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 This episode is sponsored by Carnegie Mellon University. Learn more about CMU and apply today.

Apply for the 100% free 2026 Fellowship of the Song by November 2! Anna Amalia  (1739-1807) was a German princess who became Duchess of Saxe-Weimar upon her marriage. Also a composer, her love of the arts made her court a cultural center and ushered in the era of Weimar Classicism. Corona Schröter (1751-1802) was a singer in the court of Anna Amalia, brought there by her close friend Johann Wolfgang von Goethe! Much of her compositional output has been lost, but two volumes of her songs were published. 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: All of the scores for today can be found in these two volumes. Anna Amalia:  Das Veilchen Sie scheinen zu spielen Sieh mich, Heil’ger, wie ich bin Schubert: Erlkönig (intro) Schröter:  Erlkönig O Mutter, guten Rat mir leiht (sung by Troy) Recorded at Morningstar Studios in Norristown, PA. Exactly counter--Ellen 2 (9), Toni 0 (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 You can find out more about Troy Cook on his website, https://www.troycookbaritone.com/ This episode is sponsored by Carnegie Mellon University. Learn more about CMU and apply today.

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  Air Recit Le Passage de la mer rouge Récit-Mouvement Marqué Recorded 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 This episode is sponsored by Carnegie Mellon University. Learn more about CMU and apply today.

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 severo I 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 @ToniMariePalmertree Andrew Schucker is a student of Toni Marie Palmertree. This episode is sponsored by Carnegie Mellon University. Learn more about CMU and apply today. Coming up on September 6, it's CSI's Season 10 Mainstage opening concert, Grown from a Miracle. Join as a live studio audience member in Cincinnati, or stream, 7:00-8:15pm Eastern Time, from anywhere on 90.9 WGUC.

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 voci Ecco ch'io verso il sangue Regina coeli Fresche 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 @ToniMariePalmertree You can find out more about Troy Cook on his website, https://www.troycookbaritone.com/ This episode is sponsored by Carnegie Mellon University. Learn more about CMU and apply today. Coming up on September 6, it's CSI's Season 10 Mainstage opening concert, Grown from a Miracle. Join as a live studio audience member in Cincinnati, or stream, 7:00-8:15pm Eastern Time, from anywhere on 90.9 WGUC.

The So Lit Song Lit academy is back in session - Season 4 drops starting August 19th! This season, Toni Marie and Ellen focus on women composers from the 16th century through the 1990s. Make sure to subscribe and tell all your friends, colleagues, and students, you won't want to miss this season! So Lit Song Lit is a production of Cincinnati Song Initiative. You can learn more about its network of podcasts at cincinnatisonginitiative.org/podcasts.

In the final episode of Season 3, our guest Dr. Zuly Inirio of the Afro-Latinx Song & Opera Project shows us some fabulous songs by Afro-Latin composers that she uses in her concerts entitled ¡Tumbao! A Celebration of Afro-Latin Music! Recordings featured in this episode, performed by Zuly Inirio, soprano, and Ellen Rissinger, piano: Modesta Bor: "Guitarra" Tríptico sobra poesía Cubana  Errollyn Wallen: "My feet may take a little while" Antonio Carlos Gomes: "Suspiro d’alma" Xavier Montsalvatge: "Cuba dentro de un piano" Cinco canciones negras Recorded at  the Carnegie Mellon School of Music Recording Studio in Pittsburgh, PA. So Lit Song Lit will be back in August with Season 4, with a whole season of women composers! Until then, make sure to check out CSI's other podcasts, Follow the Lieder and Song Cycle. *** 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 This episode is sponsored by Carnegie Mellon University. Learn more about CMU and apply today.