written by

Luretta Bybee

Mezzo-soprano
Stephen Sondheim:  No One Is Alone

Stephen Sondheim: No One Is Alone

The songs I've offered up over the last few days shook me by the shoulders and handed me this piece as my last choice. I realized mid-week that the songs I've chosen, and the majority of songs throughout history either celebrate our connection with each other, long...

read more
Richard Wagner:  Die Frist ist um

Richard Wagner: Die Frist ist um

I couldn't submit five choices without choosing one piece operatic.  Ok, it's a bit long but it's Richard Wagner, the early years when he was still in his 'bel canto' period.  And baby, could he ever write a melody and throw some rockin' orchestration at it. The...

read more
Jacques Brel:  Ne me quitte pas

Jacques Brel: Ne me quitte pas

Am I sentimental or does this define the agony of break up and the anguish at trying to hold on to a relationship after it's over? I stood transfixed in the fourth floor walk up of an African actor's sparse Paris apartment one morning as I saw this for the first time...

read more
Johannes Brahms:  Dein blaues Augen

Johannes Brahms: Dein blaues Augen

Straight to the skinny on this song: It comforts me and allows me to open old wounds so they can heal. It reminds me why I love and it shows me again and again how much I am loved. Groth’s words teach me to love better and they tell me what a privilege it is to be the...

read more