PROJECTS
RACHEL IN RECITAL
Lofty, lyric delivery.
"Soprano Rachel Blaustein then transported the audience with her lofty, lyric delivery of Knoxville, Summer of 1915, the work by English composer Samuel Barber created from a James Agee poem."
CULTURE SOUTH
In recital.
Rachel Blaustein is a frequent and passionate performer of art song repertoire, with her recital engagements spanning companies including Ravinia Festival, Art Song Chicago, Cincinnati Song Initiative, Academy Art Museum, Russian Chamber Arts Society, and Art of Song Festival of LA curated by Mo. James Conlon and Kevin Murphy. She is a curious and inspired performer, enjoying a wide range of repertoire across languages and periods. She is a particular advocate for English-language repertoire and contemporary works and looks forward to debuting two new commissions (music by Laura Kaminsky/poetry by Crystal Manich and music by Matthew Recio/poet to be announced) in the 2026/27 season. Among the recitals she presents this season is the debut of a new program entitled Nature // Nurture, presented with Samuel Martin for the Cincinnati Song Initiative. Read on to learn more about Nature // Nurture and how to book Rachel and Sam to perform this program with your presenting organization.
Nature // Nurture
Devised and curated by soprano Rachel Blaustein and pianist Samuel Martin, this recital explores the lifelong process of becoming through a program devoted entirely to English-language 20th and 21st-century American music. Beginning with childhood and memory and unfolding through dreams, love, gratitude, hardship, and renewal, each work illuminates a different chapter of the human experience while embracing the idea that identity is never static, but constantly evolving. Together, these contemporary voices create an intimate and deeply resonant meditation on the ways we grow, change, and continually rediscover ourselves.
At the core of this recital are two commissions, the first with music by Laura Kaminsky and poetry by Crystal Manich, and the second with music by Matthew Recio (poet to be announced soon). Surrounding these premieres are stunning works by a wide range of composers including Charles Ives, Lori Laitman, Judith Cloud, Joseph Schwantner, Christopher Cerrone, Jake Heggie, Ricky Ian Gordon, André Previn, and Tom Cipullo.
No longer an emerging star- Rachel Blaustein has arrived.
"She has a lovely soprano voice and sings beautifully, maneuvering easily in her higher register. My takeaway from this performance is that she is no longer an emerging opera star; soprano Rachel Blaustein has arrived."
OPERAGENE