Harry Thacker Burleigh was the first Black composer to have a major influence on classical music, both by his own compositions and by his influence on Antonín Dvořak. His art songs were composed before his collection of spirituals and have recently been collected and edited by Louise Toppin, Ann Sears and Jean Snyder (who also wrote a biography of Burleigh) into 47 Art Songs by Harry T. Burleigh as part of the Videmus African American Art Song Series published by Classical Vocal Reprints.

Our special guest host on this episode is baritone Kenneth Overton, whose CD with pianist Casey Robards will be released at the end of the month--UPDATE, the CD has dropped! Be sure to check out their new CD What Dreams We Have: The Poetry of Paul Laurence Dunbar!

We also mention The Spirituals of Harry T. Burleigh on the episode.

Recordings featured in this episode, performed by Ricky L. Owens, countertenor, Toni Marie Palmertree, soprano, and Ellen Rissinger, pianist:

Recorded at The Church Recording Studio in Pittsburgh, PA, and Morningstar Studios in Norristown, PA.

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So Lit Song Lit is a production of Cincinnati Song Initiative. You can learn more about its network of podcasts at cincinnatisonginitiative.org/podcasts.

You can follow Ellen and The Diction Police on Facebook and at www.dictionpolice.com.

You can follow Toni Marie on Facebook at Toni Marie Palmertree, soprano and Instagram @ToniMariePalmertree

For more information on Ricky L. Owens, Jr., countertenor, visit his website.

This episode is sponsored by Carnegie Mellon University. Learn more about CMU and apply today.