Check out Lauren’s recordings below.
Performances
Lauren Carley can sing anything from classical to experimental. She sings solo, in ensembles of various sizes including ones she directs, and in theatrical productions of all sorts. She sings with her chamber music ensemble Polyhymnia and the Renaissance quintet Schola. She sings cabaret and show tunes. Specializing in new work, she has premiered works by Philip Glass, Edmund Campion, Hugo Weisgall, Miriam Gideon, Walter Hilse, Judith Lang Zaimont and John Cage. Ms. Carley’s CD, “Hooked on Weill” features original arrangements of the music of Kurt Weill, which she performed in original solo shows throughout the US.
Listen to samples of Lauren’s moving interpretations of Kurt Weill below.
Concert Formats
Lauren has five unique concerts she presents, each with its own song list and style. They can be tailored to perfect fit your audience, space and the length of performance you desire. Please call Lauren Carley at 510/652-1298 for further information.
I. Art Songs & Spirituals Celebrating Black History Month
The Heart of a Woman—Art and popular songs, and concert spirituals by African-American composers and poets. Interpreted by mezzo-soprano Lauren Carley with Skye Atman, piano, and Kelly Takunda-Orphan, drum, this one-hour concert is appropriate for the stage, or for special events or celebrations. The repertoire includes songs by Leslie Adams, Georgia Johnson and Edna S.V. Millay, Charles Lloyd, Jr. and Paul Dunbar, Erik Jekabson and Alice Walker, Mark Fax, Florence B. Price, Duke Ellington and John Carter.
II. Medieval Holiday Music
Lauren Carley, mezzo-soprano, sings a medieval and folk holiday concert accompanied by Tim Rayborn on medieval oud, percussion, Celtic harp, and dulcimer. This one-hour concert brings to life the medieval music of England, Ireland and Spain in song and word, from unaccompanied Latin chant to arranged Christmas carols, Sephardic melodies, Gaellic tunes and Appalachian lined-out hymns.
“The spaciousness and simplicity of the solo voice with ancient instrument is captivating.” —John Miller, audience member
III. Jazz &: Popular Standards
Lauren Carley interprets jazz and popular standards from the 1920s to the 70s with jazz pianists Angie Spinelli and Chris Salerno. Sit back and enjoy the music made famous by Nat King Cole, Rosemary Clooney, Sarah Vaughan, Lara Fabian, Della Reese and Diana Krall. You might even by tempted to sing along!
IV. Cabaret & Light Opera
Lauren Carley, mezzo-soprano, uses her wonderful singing and acting ability to bring to life a variety of cabaret and light opera characters. Accompanied by Bay Area pianist, Skye Atman, lovers of the music of Kurt Weill will enjoy I’m a Stranger Here Myself, Pirate Jenny, September Song and Youkali. Lauren embodies the audience favorite Prince Orlovsky from Strauss’ Die Fledermaus, and Bess, Sportin’ Life and Serena from Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess.
Listen to samples of Lauren’s moving interpretations of Kurt Weill below.
V. Contemporary Classical
Lauren Carley interprets the art songs of award-winning, contemporary classical composers, including Ofer Ben-Amots, Paul Suits and Bay Area musician, Eric Jekabson.
Past Performances
BACH TO BACH at Church of the Advent Concert Series
Lauren Carley in Bach to Bach
Gael Alcock, cello
Lauren Carley, alto
Charles Montague, violin
Eugene Petrushansky, harpsichord
featuring
Alto Cantatas BMV 36 and 169, J.S. Bach
Pieces De Clavecin Troisieme concert, Jean-Philippe Rameau
Sonata #1 for violin % harpsichord in B minor, J.S. Bach
Sonata #6 in A major, Luigi Rodolfo Boccherini
ANTIGONE
A Woman's Will production
written by Mac Wellman
Lauren Carley appeared as the Shriek Operator! and Music Director
OAKLAND PUBLIC CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC PRESENTS
Lauren Carley in Soul Music
A concert of new American works
Skye Atman, pianist
Sandy Poindexter, violin
Gael Alcock, cello
featuring
West coast premiere of Shtetl Songs by Ofer Ben-Amots
From the Spoon River Anthology by Paul Suits
20th Century Art Songs by African American composers
POLYHYMNIA at Church of the Advent Concert Series
Lauren Carley in Concert
Church of the Advent, San Francisco
In the Beginning Aaron Copland
Il Tramonto Ottorino Resphigi, Percy Shelley
POLYHYMNIA PRESENTS
An evening of dramatic chamber works
featuring Il Tramonto, Ottorino Resphigi/Percy Shelley for string quartet and mezzo-soprano
Elpenor, Albert Roussel/Josef Wettering, a radio drama for string quartet, flute and 5 actors
Madame’s Three Callers, Betty Roe for voice and cello
CABARET BY THE BAY
The Bistro
Egg Harbor, WI
Standards, jazz and music theatre reviews, food and music from around the world.
“Come on a My House”
Lauren Carley sings at Anna’s Jazz Island
A cabaret of Italian jazz, pop, film songs and jazz standards
Recordings
Lauren Carley and Hooked on Weill
For sale at CD baby $16
Lauren sings the haunting and lyrical music of Kurt Weill (best known for The Threepenny Opera) who took the American musical theater by storm in the 1940’s. Weill’s dramatic and melodic music is the perfect match for Carley’s theatrical and almost-operatic style. All this plus clever and rhythmic accompaniments make for a unique listening experience.
Lauren Carley “gives chamber music a voice and a stage”, says the New York Guide. She has been called “remarkable in her vocal characterizations” by the New York Times, and “the wondrous Lauren Carley… a consummate comic singing actor” by Curt Davis in New York City’s Other Stages. New Jersey’s Star Ledger says she “walked away with the production”, and the Braddock Crucible sings her praises, “the highlight of the evening…could demand equal attention as a dramatic personality and singer”. Bay Area diva Linda Tillery produced Carley’s solo CD, Hooked on Weill and calls her “an extraordinary artist.” The CD features Carley with jazz and classical musicians in original arrangements of Kurt Weill’s songs. Alisa Clancy, Bay area KCSM DJ says, ”I adore this CD.” “The juxtaposition of Carley’s operatic voice with the jazz arrangements is exquisite, I couldn’t stop listening.”
Listen to part of “Speak Low”
Listen to part of “Youkali”
Listen to part of “Pirate Jenny”