About
Biography
Calliope's Call, a professional and innovative Art Song Ensemble based in New England, was founded in 2014 by mezzo-soprano Megan Roth. The ensemble's artists, a diverse mix of professional, emerging, and established singers and instrumentalists from across the country, perform captivating programs in New England and its surrounding areas.
At the heart of Calliope's Call's mission is the advancement of the next generation of musicians within the genre of Art Song. To this end, the ensemble has established two national competitions: the Call for Scores (CFS) and the Young Singer Competition (YSC). These initiatives provide platforms for contemporary and new composers, as well as young vocalists, to showcase their talents and contribute to the growth of the art form.
Calliope's Call's curated programs feature works from both contemporary and traditional composers, offering audiences a dynamic and diverse exploration of the Art Song genre. Through these performances, the ensemble aims to engage and inspire listeners, while fostering a deeper appreciation for the art form.
As a leading voice in the New England art music scene, Calliope's Call is committed to supporting the next generation of musicians and composers, ensuring the continued evolution and vitality of the Art Song tradition.
We are an arts organization dedicated to creating exciting and culturally relevant performances of Art Song. Our mission is threefold:
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A commitment to showcase the vast genre of art song by programming traditional and contemporary music and recognizing and celebrating the cultural diversity of composers and performers.
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Provide performance opportunities to professional singers and instrumentalists who wish to share the art song genre with today’s audiences.
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Support and promote the next generation of classical singers and composers through educational and performance initiatives and commissions.
At the heart of the organization is a desire to nurture an appreciation and love for this art form by creating a welcoming and engaging experience for our audience.
What is Art Song?
I founded Calliope's Call, an esteemed art song ensemble based in Boston, in 2014 with a profound passion to nurture an appreciation and love for this art form. Driven by a love for storytelling and musical excellence, we have enchanted audiences with our captivating performances, showcasing a diverse repertoire that spans centuries and continents. From the intimate melodies of Schubert and Schumann to the contemporary compositions of living composers, we have breathed new life into the art song genre, captivating listeners with our emotive interpretations and exquisite musicianship.
Named after Calliope, the Greek muse of epic poetry and eloquence, our ensemble embodies the spirit of artistic expression and storytelling through music. Our mission is to promote the genre of classical art song through innovative programming and culturally relevant themes. We have become renowned for our dynamic and emotive performances.
In addition to our concert engagements, we are deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of musicians and fostering a deeper appreciation for art song. Through our annual Young Artist Competition, Call for Scores competition, masterclasses, and residencies, we share our passion for art song with audiences of all ages and backgrounds, fostering a greater appreciation for this rich and evocative musical form.
We believe that art song serves as a powerful medium for addressing current topical themes and social movements through its unique blend of music and poetry. By weaving together emotive melodies with evocative lyrics, art song composers and performers have the ability to capture the essence of contemporary issues and amplify the voices of marginalized communities. Art song provides a platform for artists to express their perspectives, challenge societal norms, and inspire empathy and understanding among listeners. As a result, it continues to be a vital and relevant art form that resonates deeply with audiences and contributes to the broader discourse on social change and cultural transformation.
Our programs explore themes ranging from the human experience to cherished places, and current topical themes and social movements facing our world today, such as climate change, under-represented voices, and war. Our debut album, "New Moon," celebrates the work of female American composers who were and are especially active in the genre of art song. Seamlessly blending contemporary music with compositions from the twentieth century, New Moon explores the themes of love, sexuality, and gender through the lenses of raw emotions and the power of nature.
As we commemorate our first decade of music-making, we remain dedicated to our mission of celebrating the beauty and emotional power of the art song. With our passion, talent, and visionary leadership, we continue to inspire audiences and enrich the cultural fabric of Boston and beyond.
Artistic Director & Founder
Megan Roth
WHO IS CALLIOPE? ((/kəˈlaɪ.əpiː/)
Calliope was one of the nine Greek muses of music, song, and dance. Each muse was given a specific artistic realm, and Calliope was the goddess of epic poetry and eloquence. Her name means "beautiful-voiced." Since art song is a music composition for voice and instrumental accompaniment on poetic texts, Calliope’s Call signifies our intent to gather fine performers in this genre as well as call together audiences who share our appreciation for the art song recital.