Diary of a Funeral Singer: Recent Episodes
Annette Tesoriero
Annette Tesoriero is the Funeral Singer. In this series she ponders the importance of funerals and music through interviews and specially created performances.
It may take a lifetime to process the grief for the death of a primary carer. In this episode Annette recounts the occasion of locating her childhood grief, 40 years after the death of her mother.
Music contributions include:
Libera me Domine - Templar Chant
Anima Christi - hymn Meg Kovalik (sax)
Improv - Meg Kovalik (sax)
When She Said Goodbye to Me - Traditional Greek dirge - Cathie Travers (accordion),
Annette Tesoriero (vocal)
A creative and at times humorous imagining of a civil funeral service for Jesus of Nazareth in the time of COVID19. While sitting in a church one afternoon, a few days after the funeral of her nephew, Annette Tesoriero looked up at the crucifix and pondered what it might have been like for Mary, the mother of Jesus to not have the opportunity to fully lay her son's body to rest.
Music
3x3 (2018), Meg Kovalik https://megkovalik.bandcamp.com/
In this episode, Annette interviews Dean Johnston, a thirty something sound producer whose previous career included a stint with the Australian Defence Forces. Dean speaks of his own journey through delayed grief mixed with the aftermath of active service overseas. He speaks honestly about suicide within his own biological family and former military mates.
Megan Kovalik is a Saxophonist of some note. In this episode she speaks with Annette of the funerals that have been significant to her. Megan also shares her music making during the interview.
Music interludes include:
Dirge for Beryl - composed and played by Megan Kovalik on soprano saxophone
Slane - traditional hymn tune played by Megan Kovalik on baritone saxophone
Last Rose of Summer- attributed to Thomas Moore based on traditional tune "Aislean an Oigfear" played by Megan Kovalik on soprano saxophone.
A Greek Love Song - composer unknown. Sung by the late Dorothy Fuller (Dimitropoulos) with singing teacher Maestro Manlio DiVeroli at the piano. Recorded in 1953 as a private recording and used here with permission from the family.
Translation:
I search to find the sweet words
To tell you that I love you.
Those words that come from the depths of my heart
To caress you every night
So you can feel close always
As you travel foreign lands.
And so you'll hurry to return
To the warmth of my embrace
Audio Engineer: Dean Johnston
The creation of this episode of Diary of a Funeral Singer was supported by SeeChange 2020 Jervis Bay Arts Festival