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Countermelody

DANIEL GUNDLACH
Opera
Music
Johann Sebastian Bach
Black History Month
Verdi
Classical Music
Mozart
Richard Strauss
Schubert
Benjamin Luxon
Renata Scotto
Franz Schubert
Leontyne Price
Baroque Music
Ina Souez
Grace Bumbry
Elly Ameling
Metropolitan Opera
Bach
Roberta Alexander

Countermelody devoted to the glories of the human voice raised in song.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes476Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
MusicMusic Commentary

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Artwork for Countermelody

Latest Episodes

We are still in the midst of our summer holiday. And oh, what a sweltering summer it is turning out to be! Because of this, rather than producing a brand-new episode today, I’m bringing you an episode from nearly six years ago which celebrated a land... more

Pride 2026 at Countermelody continues with an episode devoted to the towering German mezzo-soprano Brigitte Fassbaender, not only one of the great opera stars of the late twentieth century (her Octavian, for instance, was, is, and remains, hors conco... more

We are quickly approaching the third anniversary of the death of Renata Scotto, and that sad commemoration, combined with my desire to produce an episode celebrating Opera Queens, prompted this episode, which features a rare live LP that I once owned... more

A year ago I published an episode entitled “Gay Eccentrics,” which featured a number of the most delightfully peculiar personalities sprinkled across queer music history. The third of those characters, theatrical and record producer Ben Bagley, reapp... more

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Recent Guests

Margaret Harshaugh
Mezzo-soprano turned teacher, quoted in the Pearl of Wisdom segment
Episode: Episode 463. Arie antiche, Gigli Edition
Steven Blier
National treasure pianist, co-founder of Nyfos
New York Festival of Song (Nyfos)
Episode: Episode 458. From Ear to Ear: A Conversation with Steven Blier
Norman Bailey
Bass-baritone, prominent in the Lied/Heldenbariton repertoire
Self-described performer featured in the episode
Episode: Episode 451. Norman Bailey Sings Three Song Cycles
John Constable
Pianist, frequent collaborator with Bailey
Musician accompanying Bailey in recordings mentioned
Episode: Episode 451. Norman Bailey Sings Three Song Cycles
Sir Geraint Llewellyn Evans
Welsh bass baritone noted for his operatic roles including Figaro and Papageno.
Episode: Episode 413. Get to Know Geraint Evans
Andrew Gray
A re-elected member of the Alaska State House of Representatives and a former voice student of the host.
Alaska State House of Representatives
Episode: Episode 405. Rescue Mission (Belated Birthday Edition)
Anna Reynolds
Renowned British mezzo-soprano, known for her works in both Bach and Mahler.
Episode: Episode 397. Anna Reynolds Sings Bach and Mahler
Shannon Bolin
Quintessential Broadway contralto known for her rich, warm sound and roles in major productions.
Episode: Episode 396. Meet Shannon Bolin
August Ventura
Passionate about traditional opera, he explores its role in social change and promotes Verdi's legacy.
Episode: Episode 371. Margherita Roberti @ 100 (with August Ventura)

Host

Daniel Gundlach
Host of Countermelody; known for in-depth vocal artistry discussions and archival listening journeys.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 64 ratings
  • A Guide in Awe

    I love this podcast! First, Daniel Gundlach is a compelling and humble guide in Awe of the power of the human voice. The episodes are rich and detailed and I have sought out many of the recordings he has played to add to my own vinyl collection. Thank you!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Trevor Parker Oak Park, IL
    United Statesa year ago
  • Best opera podcast around

    This guy is real deal. His knowledge of and passion for classical singers and singing is virtually unsurpassed in the world of podcasts, and I say that as someone who is a bit of an opera aficionado myself. Check it out. You won’t be disappointed.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mrguy1804
    Germany2 years ago
  • So fun to listen to!

    A wonderful, informative, podcast by a brilliant fan and musician himself—fun to listen to!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    singingfoolery
    United States3 years ago
  • Renewed my passion for great singing

    I have discovered so many wonderful singers thanks to Daniel Gundlach’s vast knowledge of the vocal arts and the generations of performers who have made their mark on the repertoire. I often think to myself, “How have I never heard this singer before?”. Always enjoyable, interesting, and inspiring. What did we do before “Countermelody”?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    parissoprano
    France4 years ago
  • Wonderful episodes

    Absolutely five stars!! We love all of the Countermelody episodes which are put together by Daniel Gundlach with his tremendous knowledge of singing and singers and his boundless enthusiasm and generosity in sharing this wonderful world with us. So enlightening. Thank you, Daniel.

    Lewis G.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Prado lover
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise the host's deep knowledge of vocal art and charisma.
The show is a must for classical singers and fans of singing history.
Fans appreciate the curated listening lists and behind-the-scenes storytelling.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 427. Representative Andrew Gray [AK] (Countermelody Conversations)
Q: What role has music played in your life?
Andrew explains that music was a significant influence from a young age and reflects on early experiences that shaped his understanding of performance.
Episode 427. Representative Andrew Gray [AK] (Countermelody Conversations)
Q: Can you give us like a thumbnail version of your life?
Andrew shares that he was born and raised in Texas, became involved in musical theater, transitioned to studying vocal performance, and eventually shifted to politics after finding his voice there.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Countermelody

What is Countermelody about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Countermelody centers on the human voice raised in song, offering in-depth explorations of opera, art song, and vocal history. Episodes blend biographical context, archival listening, and the host's personal reflections, often weaving together historical performances with modern podcasting insights. The show stands out for its voice-centric approach, meticulous listening lists, and a generous, storytelling style that appeals to serious classical music fans and record-collecting listeners alike, with occasional forays into related genres and broader vocal artistry.

Where can I find podcast stats for Countermelody?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Countermelody. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Countermelody and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Countermelody get?

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What are the audience demographics for Countermelody?

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How many subscribers and views does Countermelody have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Countermelody?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Countermelody:

1. Stay Tuned with Preet
2. Radio Atlantic
3. The Daily
4. The New Yorker Radio Hour
5. The Ezra Klein Show

How many episodes of Countermelody are there?

Countermelody launched 7 years ago and published 476 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Countermelody?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Countermelody?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Countermelody from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Countermelody?

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What guests have appeared on Countermelody?

Recent guests on Countermelody include:

1. Margaret Harshaugh
2. Steven Blier
3. Norman Bailey
4. John Constable
5. Sir Geraint Llewellyn Evans
6. Andrew Gray
7. Anna Reynolds
8. Shannon Bolin

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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