In memoriam Brian Asawa (1966-2016)

Brian Awasa (1966-2016)

...from Berkeley

Today's post is a heartfelt farewell to the wonderful and wonderfully talented pathbreaking countertenor Brian Asawa, who passed away this afternoon (April 18)  at the age of 49 from  advanced cirrhosis.

Brian was the first countertenor in SF Opera's Adler program, the first to win the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, the first to win Placido Domingo's Operalia, Seattle Opera's Artist of the Year award...his accomplishments are legion and myriad. He was also a kind, generous colleague. He was so very supportive to me at the memorial for  Zheng (mezzo-soprano Zheng Cao), and now sadly, the memorial will be for him.

You can hear two different sides of his artistry in Rachmaninoff (Vocalise):

and Handel (the gorgeous duet "Son nato a lagrimar" from Giulio Cesare):

And here, he is working with his (and my) voice teacher Jane Randolph, which is how I met him years ago.

As singer after singer after friend after colleague posts remembrances and farewell messages in social media, you can read a lovely tribute here.

The musical world mourns his passing.

What I'm reading: Louise Penny's Armand Gamache mystery novels
What I'm listening to: Brian Asawa
What I'm working on: music for CD release concerts