I am very gratified to present a collection of arias and songs that illustrate and represent a significant swath of music that defines the bass contribution in the lyrical theater.
By virtue of the timbre and color of the bass voice, basses are often inclined to portray characters with a certain gravitas and oftentimes men with less than stellar character. The music associated with these less than stellar characters also represents a broad range both musically and dramatically in ways that propel basses to the forefront of the drama.
The arias and songs represented here are some of the most famous in the bass operatic canon sprinkled with the less familiar and a newly composed aria by Gordon Getty.
I am also pleased to have had the outstanding support of all of those associated with this recording starting with the composer Gordon Getty, the brilliant men and women of PENTATONE, my friend and noted author and historian, Francesco Izzo, my first voice teacher, Betty Ridgeway, that inculcated in me the desire to explore many arias presented here many years ago, and my very supportive parents, Cecil and Jane Short.
Thank you all very much!
– Kevin Short
Photo by Susan Beard
