Just released: "Passing By ~ Songs by Jake Heggie"

“Heggie may prove to be contemporary opera’s savior.”
~ Chicago Tribune

Joyce joins a line-up of international soloists to collaborate on this much-anticipated new recording of Jake Heggie’s latest songs. Pairing up with Frederica von Stade for a pair of mother-daughter duets proves to be a highlight, as well as the “Final Monologue” from Master Class with text by the Tony Award Winning playwright, Terrence McNally.

One of the leading American composers of his generation, Jake Heggie arrives on Avie with a gorgeous collection of new songs performed by a stunning array of international vocalists. Fresh from the success of the Dallas Opera premiere of his Moby Dick, the Guggenheim Fellowship recipient describes this collection as “songs that tell stories about now and then.” Indelibly associated with his acclaimed operas, including Dead Man Walking (Top 10 Billboard Classical Chart), Three Decembers, and The End of the Affair, Jake’s heart and soul lie in storytelling through song. With lyrics and poetry by A.E. Housman, Terrence McNally, and Rainer Maria Rilke, these songs reflect the great American songbook tradition, replete with striking observations of life’s journeys.

We need you to make us feel an integral PART of a shared existence through the communal, universal, forgiving language of music, of dance, of poetry and Art – so that we never lose sight of the fact that we are all in this together and that we are all deserving of a life that overflows with immense possibility, improbable beauty and relentless truth.

Joyce DiDonato