Devony Smith and Danny Zelibor: In This Short Life

Recognized for her "sensual" and "strong" voice (New York Times), mezzo-soprano Devony Smith is a versatile performer with a wide-ranging repertoire in opera and concert music. Devony is a sought-after collaborator with composers, having premiered works by Grammy-award winning composer Jennifer Higdon, Jake Landau, Eve Beglarian, and Luna Pearl Woolf. This season, Devony has been featured on multiple album releases, including singing the role of the Lover in Kate Soper's Romance of the Rose. She also performs the alto solos on Benjamin Wenzelberg's release of his cantata, Any of those Decembers. This spring, Devony anticipates the release of her debut solo album In This Short Life with pianist Danny Zelibor, which features premiere recordings of works by composers Mark Adamo, Grammy award winning Jennifer Higdon, Jake Landau, Pulitzer Prize winner David Lang, B.E. Boykin, Eve Beglarian, and Will Liverman.Pianist Danny Zelibor, praised for his sensitive and colorful playing, is a sought-after collaborator and performer. He made his Carnegie Hall debut with baritone Jarrett Ott and has performed in recital with numerous leading musicians, including soprano Harolyn Blackwell and Canadian cellist Amanda Forsyth. An ardent lover of art song, he frequently performs with the Brooklyn Art Song Society and the New York Festival of Song and has recorded world premieres of songs by Jake Heggie, Jennifer Higdon, and Mark Adamo. On the cutting edge of new music, he has premiered and workshopped dozens of new works. A true believer in the power of music to be a bridge and a force for good, he joined baritone Sidney Outlaw on a concert tour and series of masterclasses in The Republic of Chad sponsored by the U.S. State Department and recently performed in his first series of Well-Being Concerts at Carnegie Hall with cellist Joshua Roman and violinist Simon Porter. Danny’s debut CDs for Toccata Classics, the beginning of a multi-volume set of the piano music of Alexandre Tansman, have received widespread praise from top music publications. A fellow of Tanglewood and graduate of Manhattan School of Music, Danny resides in New York City. http://DevonySmith.com http://DannyZelibor.comMake sure you SUBSCRIBE to Crushing Classical, and maybe even leave a nice review! Theme music by DreamVance.I help people to lean into their creative careers and start or grow their income streams. You can read more or hop onto a discovery call from my website. https://jennetingle.com/work-with-meI'm your host, Jennet Ingle. I love you all. Stay safe out there! Your portfolio career is YOURS to design. If you are seeking inspiration, grab the first chapter of my book for FREE at the link below! You are allowed to thrive, and your artistry MATTERS.https://jennetingle.kit.com/c6e4009529Make sure you SUBSCRIBE to Crushing Classical, and maybe even leave a nice review! Thanks for joining me on Crushing Classical! Theme music by DreamVance.I help people to lean into their creative careers and start or grow their income streams. You can read more or hop onto a discovery call from my website. https://jennetingle.com/work-with-meI'm your host, Jennet Ingle. I love you all. Stay safe out there!

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This episode was published on September 18, 2025.

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