Album Notes

I've had the idea of making a special album of beautiful songs that would be especially appealing to children ever since finding out I was going to have a child of my own (Samantha was born Feb. 8, 2000). I wanted this collection of song to reflect how much I love singing, and to bring the magic of stories and music together for children of all ages.

Some of the songs have a deep personal connection for me. My mother used to sing me the Brahms lullaby when I was small, and the Evening Prayer from Hänsel & Gretel is my god-daughter's favorite lullaby. The Bird Songs by Lehmann I found in a collection of music from my great-grandmother. She must have sung these with her daughter, who was a wonderful pianist and teacher. My mother was my first teacher, and started my training on the violin when I was seven years old. I now play her violin and my grandmother's piano.

I hope these songs and my voice will be a continual gift to my child and yours.

About the Artist...

Soprano Wendy Loder has delighted San Francisco Bay Area opera audiences with her vivid portrayals of Adele, Adina, Blonde, Cunegonde, Frasquita, Fiorilla, Fiordilidgi, Gilda, Gretel, Lauretta, Nanetta, Olympia, Queen of the Night, Violetta and Zerbinetta. In addition to her operatic activities, Wendy has been featured as soloist in Mahler's Eighth Symphony; Orff's Carmina Burana; in Poulenc's Gloria; and in Mozart's Great Mass. A frequent recitalist, Wendy recently collaborated with pianist Peter Bortfeldt to give her European Debut Recital in Bonn, Germany, where she was praised for her "effortless height of a voice that combined radiant power with great sureness in intonation and dynamics. Furthermore, she presents herself as a singer who knows how to be convincing with charming-capricious theatrics."(General Anzeiger, Bonn)

Other Critical Acclaim for Wendy Loder:

Loder delivers the aria "Glitter and Be Gay," the only piece of real opera in the show, with dazzling control and a vivid sense of presence
Michael J. Vaughn - Palo Alto Weekly

gorgeous, exceptional voice
Tim Fish -- The Press Democrat

makes a sassy and buxom Adele, vocally vibrant and adding considerably to the success of this production.
Cynthia Hill - Palo Alto Weekly

Excellent singing, polished acting...sang with a clear, bright soprano voice and good diction.
Sue Kemp - The Country Almanac

Wendy Loder's beautifully sung Gilda ... passed the test with flying colors, as well as trills and high C's.
Suzanne Weiss -San Mateo Times

the miraculous voice of Wendy Loder ... brings down the house.
Dave Berosh -Marin Scope

...shiveringly sweet-voiced.
Marti Keller - Pacific Sun

Her voice is almost flute-like in its clarity.
Tim Fish - The Press Democrat