If you’ve listened to the latest episode of Key Change: A COC Podcast, you already know that Perryn Leech and I both admire the genius of Freddie Mercury and one album in particular holds a special place in my heart. So, for today’s playlist, I’m recommending a different sort of ‘opera’ experience: Queen’s 1975 hit, A Night at the Opera.

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My playlist recommendation this week is a collection of recordings by the incredible French soprano Christiane Eda-Pierre, who sadly passed away earlier this year at 88. She was one of France’s first Black opera singers to reach international stardom and was one of the 20th century’s most exciting coloratura sopranos. 

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For this week's recommendation, I want to draw your attention to the French Romantic composer Ernest Chausson. Although not as well-known as Claude Debussy or Gabriel Fauré, what he managed to contribute over the course of a tragically abbreviated career – he died in a bicycle accident at 44 – suggests that Chausson had all the makings of a major artist finding his stride.

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