by Ellena on January 30, 2018
What a joy to make music with my dear friends Sybil Cheesman and Lynn Raley in Jackson, Mississippi last week! I drove from Atlanta to Jackson on Monday and had a lovely visit with my sister Laura Knight and her family, who graciously hosted me for the first part of my visit. Lynn, Sybil and […]
by Ellena on November 29, 2017
On Sunday, November 19, 2017, I had the privilege of performing a recital with John King Carter at The Episcopal Church of the Holy Family in Jasper, Georgia. The program consisted of art songs by Franz Schubert and Claude Debussy. Following the concert, the choir presented a service of Evensong, and the church hosted a […]
by Ellena on November 6, 2017
On Sunday, November 5, 2017, I performed the mezzo solos in the Mozart Requiem at St. James Episcopal Church with music director Peter Waggoner conducting his church choir and an orchestra. The Mozart Requiem was integrated into the traditional All Souls Day mass, which honors those who have gone before us in life and death. […]
by Ellena on October 7, 2017
Here’s a bootleg recording of “Ladies Who Lunch” from Steven Sondheim’s Broadway musical Company, performed live on Friday, October 6, 2017 at All Saints Episcopal Church in Atlanta, Georgia. Sarah Ellena Hogrefe, mezzo-soprano, as Joanne; Ray Chenault, piano; Joel Morris, drums.
by Ellena on January 19, 2017
Dear Friends, I’m delighted to share many of the live recordings from our second annual MLK concert on Monday, January 15, 2017, 7 pm, at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church. With the support of The Reverend Susan Sowers, Pastor Mary Peterson, Sammie Tucker, and the entire St. Christopher’s staff; Dasha Teelin and I planned this concert, […]
by Ellena on November 9, 2016
Sarah Ellena Hogrefe, mezzo-soprano, and John King Carter, pianist, perform Elgar’s Sea Pictures, Opus 37. Recorded live in concert in Jasper, Georgia on September 18, 2016, and performed again at Canterbury Court, Monday, November 7, 2016, at 7:30 pm. Sea Slumber-Song Poem by the Hon. Roden Noel. Sea-birds are asleep/The world forgets to weep/Sea murmurs […]
by Ellena on November 9, 2016
In two recent concerts, John King Carter, pianist and I, have sung five of the ten Biblical Songs, Opus 37, by Antonín Dvořák, originally composed in his native Czech. Here are the English texts and recordings of each of the songs. Psalm 97:2-6 Darkness and thunderclouds are round about him; judgment is his abode; righteousness his throne. Fire […]
by Ellena on February 25, 2016
Singing the World: Life, Loss & Love On our upcoming concert, John King Carter and I will perform arias from Bizet’s Carmen, Rossini’s Barber of Seville, and Verdi’s A Masked Ball, in addition to favorite spirituals, early 20th century popular songs, andBrahms’s Four Serious Songs. Join us for this beautiful evening of music at Lawrenceville […]
by Ellena on February 21, 2016
Today during communion I sang the spiritual “Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen,” arranged by composer Raymond K. Liebau. Here’s a truncated personal story about this superb arrangement: During my DMA dissertation research, I corresponded with a generous composer. He gave me the best arrangement of this spiritual I’ve ever encountered. I’ve been glad to share […]
by Ellena on December 25, 2015
If you’re a musician, then the best thing about Christmas is the fantastic music! Usually, after singing from 12:00 – 2 p.m. and 6:00- 12:00 midnight on Christmas Eve, (yes that’s a total of approximately 8 hours), I go to a pancake breakfast & celebration from 12:30 – 3:30 a.m. This year, the pancake breakfast […]