Russell Oberlin Memorial Broadcast on WKCR-FM:

WKCR has just learned that the legendary American countertenor Russell Oberlin has passed away. Oberlin is undoubtedly the most important American countertenor of all time despite the brevity of his performing and recording career. As a singer who did not sing in his falsetto (contrary to others in his vocal fach), he was an artist championed by Leonard Bernstein, Sir Georg Solti, Glenn Gould, and others. Oberlin's pioneering recordings of Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque works remain the gold standard in many instances; we have frequently broadcast many of these works on our Early Music and Bach Hour programs.

At 9:00 PM tonight (11/26), Saturday Night At The Opera will broadcast an archival broadcast of Benjamin Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream live from the Royal Opera House. For the opera's London premiere, Oberlin sings the mysterious role of Oberon, while Sir Georg Solti leads the full forces of the Royal Opera House Orchestra and Chorus. The program will also feature an in-depth interview with Oberlin from our 2014 Bach Festival. That interview is, to the best of our knowledge, Oberlin's last radio broadcast interview.

On Thursday (12/1) Cereal Music program from 9:30 AM-12:00 PM, tune in to hear various vocal and choral recordings featuring Russell Oberlin with the New York Pro Musica ensemble.

On Thursday (12/1) Afternoon Classical program from 3:00-6:00 PM, tune in to hear Russell Oberlin singing Handel's Messiah with the New York Philharmonic and Leonard Bernstein conducting.

On Friday (12/2) the Early Music Show from 9:30 AM-12:00 PM will focus on a selection of Russell Oberlin singing early music from the Middle Ages onwards.

On Friday (12/2) Afternoon Classical and Bach Hour from 3:00-6:00 PM will feature an assortment of Russell Oberlin's vocal works followed by Oberlin singing J.S. Bach's Magnificat with Leonard Bernstein conducting and Cantata 54 "Widerstehe doch der Sünde" with Glenn Gould conducting.

Please join us as we celebrate, honor, remember, and pay tribute to the extraordinary life and work of countertenor Russell Oberlin on WKCR 89.9 FM NY and wkcr.org.