Academy of Vocal Arts Class of 2018 award-winning alumnae, soprano Alexandra Nowakowski, mezzo-soprano Hannah Ludwig, and pianist José Meléndez will perform a live streamed recital entitled, “Music, Give Us Hope,” on Saturday, September 5 at 6:30 p.m. EDT.

The “Music, Give Us Hope” program includes music from genres and composers as diverse as Schubert and Berlioz to Harold Arlen and Rodgers and Hammerstein.

To protect the artists, the recital will follow CDC guidelines, including 10-foot spacing between performers, along with plexiglass separating Nowakowski and Ludwig. Pianist Meléndez will wear a mask. With the addition of the cameraman, only four people will be present in the space.

“For me personally, music has always given me hope. When I didn’t know where else to turn, the comfort of listening to Maria Callas sing me Puccini always lulled me into calm again. I hope we can bring you some of the peace we have all experienced through music,” Nowakowski stated in the press release.

A portion of the proceeds will go to the Artist Relief Tree. Tips will be accepted at any time and may be sent using the Venmo handle @artforeveryone or through Paypal at paypal.me/alexandranowakowski. Those who use Paypal are encouraged to label the donation “Live Stream Recital.”

“I wanted to find a way to keep singing, even without a live audience,” said Nowakowski. “I’ve trained specifically to be an opera singer for the last 10 years. It’s a muscle you have to keep working, otherwise, it can atrophy. Besides the technical aspect, music has always brought me purpose, fulfillment, and peace. That goes for all kinds of music – classical just happens to be the kind that I perform. Very little government funding exists for the arts. Artists have to find a way to keep making art. For me, this virtual recital is a first step. I think we have many more horizons to discover that we may not have found without the pandemic. As long as I am healthy, I will keep finding a way to make music!”

The event, broadcast from AVA, is free. Tips will be accepted and split among the artists to fund future programs. A recording will be made available following the live broadcast.