Once Canciones (Eleven Songs) de Diego Luzuriaga by Dana Hanchard

"Inspired as much by the traditional classical genre as by the rich tradition of his native Ecuador, Luzuriaga's intimate song settings for voice and guitar create an important and innovative recording. The CD is accompanied by a full-color, 28-page booklet that includes notes by the composer, remarks by Dana and Diego, and full translations. Captured digitally to 24-bit, Once Canciones was recorded by George Wellington at the Recital Hall at SUNY, Purchase, New York. The disc was co-produced by Mr. Wellington and Ms. Hanchard.

FGM-NYC is an independent label dedicated to supporting and showcasing composers and musicians whose artistry defies the constraints imposed by current marketing categorization and genres.

DANA HANCHARD (vocals)

Acclaimed as a "singer of passionate virtuosity" by Time Magazine, Dana Hanchard enjoys an international career that embraces many styles and genres. Her performance in recital prompted the critic from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel to write, "Some vocalists sing, others make dramatic magic that cannot be ignored...Dana Hanchard...most assuredly falls into the latter group. She possesses that elusive ability to communicate, regardless of language, using musical phrase and nuance."

Ms. Hanchard has collaborated with many of today's most respected conductors and artists on a variety of projects and repertoire. Highlights include playing Nerone to Sylvia McNair's Poppea in L'Incoronazione di Poppea with John Eliot Gardiner conducting, and later playing Poppea to David Daniel's Nerone in the highly acclaimed Jonathan Miller production; singing Euridice in Mark Morris production of Gluck's Orpheo ed Euridice with Christopher Hogwood conducting; and originating the role of Gwen St. Clair in Meredith Monk's Atlas. In addition to her work in opera, Ms. Hanchard regularly performs orchestral and chamber music with numerous organizations to include the New World Symphony, Houston Symphony, Les Musiciens du Louvre, Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, English Baroque Soloists, Boston Camerata, Four Nations Ensemble, Musica Antiqua Koln, Bang on a Can Festiva,l and New York Festival of Song.

Her discography includes recordings on the Harmonia Mundi, Deutsche Grammophon/Archiv, Erato, ECM, and Lyrichord labels. This season marks the release of her debut solo album, Once Canciones (Eleven Songs) de Diego Luzuriaga on Fertile Ground Music.

A graduate of the Manhattan School of Music and the Juilliard School of Music, Ms Hanchard lives in New York City with her family.

BILL GIROLAMO (guitar)

A native of New York, Bill Girolamo is a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music where he received both Bachelor and graduate degrees. He performs extensively as a soloist and ensemble member in concert and club settings, as well as live radio broadcasts.

DIEGO LUZURIAGA (composer)

Ecuadorian composer Diego Luzuriaga is one of the most original voices among contemporary composers from Latin America. His music has been featured at international festivals and events, and enjoys critical acclaim.

Mr. Luzuriaga has received commissions from the Tokyo Philharmonic, the ensembles Intercontemporain and Itineraire of Paris, the Ensemble Aventure of Freiburg, the Nieuw Ensemble of Amsterdam, the Ensemble Pro Musica Nipponia of Japan, the duo Aurele Nicolet-Robert Aitken, and the Quintet of the Americas.

In 1993 he was the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship.

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