Old American Songs, New Jersey Festival Orchestra, August 2023
“The...diverse, folkish themes [of Copland’s ‘Old American Songs’] are drawn from 19th-century Americana songs, a far cry from the Italianate roles guest soloist [Stephen] Gaertner sings routinely on international opera stages. Fittingly, he shelved his rich, lustrous Verdian timbres for a creamier tonality with lyricism bubbling at the top. Clean diction and simple phrasing kept the performance naturalistic, with an interpretive style that felt more aligned with the art songs of German Lieder. The approach was particularly effective in keeping ‘Ching-a-Ring Chaw’ and ‘Long Time Ago’ — both based on minstrel tunes and ballads — grounded and tasteful. Other standouts included ‘The Little Horses,’ a children’s lullaby from the South, which brought out a delicate and sensitive lyricism. In ‘Zion’s Walls’ — a Revivalist song that Copland reused in his opera ‘The Tender Land’ — Gaertner used a ringing vibrato to reflect the deeply spiritual themes. The orchestra used painterly textures and colors to narrate Copland’s unique Americana, well balanced with Gaertner even in his most delicate treatments.” (Courtney Smith, www.njarts.net, August 21, 2023)
Verdi: La Forza del Destino - “Morir! Tremenda cosa...Urna fatale”
New Amsterdam Opera, March 24, 2017
Bizet: Carmen - “Votre toast, je peux vous le rendre”
Opéra Royal de Wallonie, December 21, 2010
Puccini: Edgar - “Questo amor, vergogna mia”
Opera Orchestra of New York, Carnegie Hall, April 13, 2008
Donizetti: Dom Sébastien - “Eh quoi! des danses et des fętes!...Levez-vous!”
Opera Orchestra of New York, Carnegie Hall, November 7, 2006
Leoncavallo: Zingari - “Bella! Bella! Sei qui tutta fremente” (audio only)
Opera Rara recording session (November 2021) Tamar - Stephen Gaertner Fleana - Krassimira Stoyanova Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Carlo Rizzi, conductor
Teatro de la Ópera, San Juan, Puerto Rico (October 6, 2016) Iago - Stephen Gaertner Otello - Rafael Dávila Orquesta Sinfonica de Puerto Rico Rafael Enrique Irizarry, conductor Gilberto Valenzuela, director
Teatro de la Ópera, San Juan, Puerto Rico (October 6, 2016) Iago - Stephen Gaertner Cassio - Peter Rivera Orquesta Sinfonica de Puerto Rico Rafael Enrique Irizarry, conductor Gilberto Valenzuela, director
Teatro de la Ópera, San Juan, Puerto Rico (October 6, 2016) Iago - Stephen Gaertner Cassio - Peter Rivera Roderigo - Esteban Cordero Orquesta Sinfonica de Puerto Rico Rafael Enrique Irizarry, conductor Gilberto Valenzuela, director
Leoncavallo: Zazŕ - “Zazŕ, piccola zingara” (audio only)
Princeton Festival, Princeton, New Jersey (June 30, 2012) Lanceotto Malatesta - Stephen Gaertner Francesca Malatesta - Caroline Worra Paolo Malatesta - Rolando Sanz Dante Alighieri - Samuel Green Ghost of Virgil - Nathaniel Olson Princeton Festival Orchestra Richard Tang Yuk, conductor
