Princeton University Concerts and the University Musical Society of the University of Michigan have released the first installment of a new digital initiative conceived by multiple Grammy Award-winning mezzosoprano Joyce DiDonato.
“Sing for Today” features DiDonato responding to current events and global concerns through the lens of song and conversation. The first episode, available for free viewing at princetonuniversityconcerts.org and ums.org/singfortoday, taps into the energy of the general election, according to information provided by Princeton University Concerts.
In response to images of long early-voter lines across the country, DiDonato sings “This Land is Your Land” accompanied by guitarist Àlex Garrobé in tribute to voters. She then frames the song in conversation with “Hamilton” lead producer Jeffrey Seller and with students Kai Tsurumaki (Princeton University Class of 2023) and Saika Islam (University of Michigan Class of 2021) – members of the Poll Hero Project, dedicated to recruiting young people across the country to be poll workers.
Future episodes of “Sing For Today” will feature DiDonato singing and in dialogue with people from a variety of different backgrounds, calling on great songs to permeate profound events of the present day, according to the statement.
