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Murder in the Chorus: an interview with author Roberta Mantell
Posted 7/14/2025
Today's conversation features two genres of writing about music: journalism and fiction. Arts journalist Roberta Hershenson and fiction author Roberta Mantell discuss Mantell's newly-published Angels' Blood: Murder in the Chorus. They not only share a name but are personally close, as you will see.
Roberta Hershenson: I'm so pleased to have this opportunity to introduce my fellow writer, Roberta Mantell. How are you doing today, Roberta?
Roberta Mantell: I'm doing great, Roberta. I'm so glad to be here to discuss a subject important to both of us-music, especially choral music.
RH: Yes, though we write in different genres, we have the same goals, don't we?
RM: Umm, sorry to contradict you so soon, but I would say our goals are vastly different, Roberta. You write as a journalist and I write as an author of fiction.
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- Chorus life is the backdrop for Angels’ Blood: Murder in the Chorus, the debut novel from Roberta Mantell, the pen name of Roberta Hershenson, who covered arts and culture for The New York Times as an independent writer and photographer for more than two decades and sang with the Oratorio Society of New York and The Cecilia Chorus of New York for more than twenty-five years. For details about the novel -- a deep dive into a fictional chorus dealing with two simultaneous mysteries: the murder of a young soprano after a concert and a disputed new 1899 Requiem discovered in the conductor's home -- visit robertamantell.com/angels-blood-murder-in-the-chorus/. (2025-7-12)
- Khorikos released its latest album, Across the Open Spaces, on the Navona Records label on May 23. The album features works by
Mason Bates, Evelin Seppar, Sarah Kirkland Snider, Kala Pierson, Kile Smith and Anna Meredith. More details at www.navonarecords.com/catalog/nv6732/. (2025-6-14)
- Cantori New York is calling all alumni to join the group at its 40th Anniversary Gala Concert on May 10 at 7:30 PM at Merkin Hall featuring works by Laura Schwendinger, Gregory Spears, Elisenda Fábregas and Aaron Copland. Cantori will be joined by the Bergamot Quartet and mezzo-soprano Gabrielle Barkidjija. More information can be found on Cantori's Alumni Page. (2025-4-24)
- Cantori New York, conducted by Mark Shapiro, has released its recording Found Again, comprising works for chorus and instruments by Lembit Beecher, Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate and John Rommereim, on Navona Records. See www.navonarecords.com/catalog/nv6703/. (2025-3-26)
- The Cecilia Chorus of New York, conducted by Mark Shapiro, has released its recording of Daron Hagen’s human rights cantata Everyone, Everywhere on Naxos Records. The chorus premiered Hagen’s cantata, which interleaves articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with quotations from human rights luminaries throughout history, in Carnegie Hall in December 2023. Performers include The Cecilia Chorus of New York, Every Voice Generations Choir (Nicole Becker, director); Gabrielle Barkididja, mezzo-soprano; and Bryan Murray, baritone. Visit www.naxos.com/CatalogueDetail/?id=8.579180. (2025-3-26)
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