New video: Diva Joyce sings out at gay bar

New video: Diva Joyce sings out at gay bar

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norman lebrecht

February 04, 2015

Joyce DiDonato took a few friends to the Stonewall Inn, birthplace of the gay rights movement, to sing out against continuing prejudice. The song she chose was Dido’s Lament from Henry Purcell’s opera of doomed lovers. Watch.

joyce didonato stonewall

I’m thinking of Andrew Patner, tears in eyes, as I watch. Andrew spoke of prejudice he suffered at early stages in his creative life.  Joyce intends the video to honour the memory of Mark Carson, a gay man murdered nearby in a 2013 hate crime.

Comments

  • Joyce DiDonato says:

    Norman, Andrew’s passing was heavy on my mind as I knew this was being released today. I, too, hope this honors him, as well …

  • Scott Rose says:

    Thank you, Joyce, for your profoundly moving gesture, and your magnificent artistry.

  • Russell Platt says:

    In every generation, the City of Big Shoulders produces, or welcomes, a special group of personalities—think Terkel, Bernardin, Solti, Krainik, to name a few—who become institutions and define the town, which in many ways is the most American of our big cities. Andrew was one of these; so was his father Marshall, a legendary left-wing lawyer. It’s a big loss.

  • marguerite foxon says:

    A wonderful offering in song to the memory of so many. I admire Joyce for her ongoing stand against hate crimes, bullying, and her support for LGBT people. She is truly a diva in very sense. Brava!

  • mehlinda heartt says:

    Thank you Joyce very touching, thank you for your support for those that are persecuted, much love to you. This song is always hard for me to hear, it was the one dying request of my mother that I sing this song at her funeral, she passed on 19 years ago, that was one of the hardest things I have ever done. I have never sung it again, but now hearing you do it, I think I will have the courage. You are very courageous thank you for loving everyone.

  • David Wylie says:

    Thank you, Joyce….

  • James M. Frase-White says:

    profound thanks to all who share this, for cherished memories, public and private

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