For the first time in mini-career, I offered a free download of an aria to a blog. I’ve worked with Sequenza21 on free track giveaways before, but never for what we in the biz (groan) call a “Core Classical” artist. So let’s see how we do.
Somewhere beyond the sea, OperaChic is giving away an MP3 from Sondra’s debut CD, Verdi Arias. It comes out on April 27, but is available now in a tiny record shop in Cupertino, CA called “iTunes.” Google Maps can tell you how to get there. The folks at Naxos, the distributor, and Delos, the label, were all for the promotion, and it warms my cold, black heart that classical labels seem to have accepted that we live in the Sense of Entitlement Generation, in which we all expect something for nothing constantly.
Interestingly, my friends at non-classical labels have told me that the pre-released “single” is always the track that ultimately sells the most. People have heard (of) it, and go looking for that track specifically. (Side note: e mailing with Sondra about what the “single” on her album should be was comic gold. It’s like, “What do all the kids like to dance to?” “Oh I know – Tacea la notte placida, with its disco beat.”)
I’ve also been told, however, that “opera CDs don’t sell on iTunes,” which would lead me to hypothesize that OperaChic’s readers may not be interested in the shiny free track. So we’ll see how it goes, and I’ll report back. For now, head over to the OC and get yer swag.
Good job Amanda, I’m heading over to OC now for my swag. I congratulate you for making this happen – it might feel sometimes that you are pushing a rock uphill, but you always bring a fresh perspective and new ideas to the table.
Gotta love that.
k
I happened upon the OC posting last night and downloaded the track…then of course, bought the whole CD on iTunes!
I wager that the D’amor sull’aria is the best singing on the disc…even over the spectacular Tacea la notte!
What a singer…all the current buzz here in Canada is worth it! Can’t wait to hear her at the Canadian Opera Company next season!
Awesome. I’m so glad you like it. -AA
Reading the OperaChic post last night simply reminded me that the CD was now available, so I bought it off iTunes without even sampling the track.
Looking forward to the Denver Tosca!
Not fair!! I live in Cape Town, South Africa and would happily swap the world cup for this freebee! (Hate football, love music.)Just so happens that I sing in the Artscape Opera Chorus too!