Exactly a year ago, Erin sang “Beim Schlafengehen” (Going to Bed), at the memorial concert celebrating the life and career of former CBC Radio Music producer, Neil Crory. Neil was a big supporter of Erin, and he felt, along with everyone fortunate enough to have made music with her, that her gorgeous voice and committed artistry were unique. There was not a dry eye, or soul untouched, after Erin’s performance of one of Neil’s favourite Strauss songs that evening.
Before that concert, I gave Erin a book that Neil had passed on to me…. a biography of American soprano, Sybil Sanderson, for whom Massenet had written the title role in his opera Thais. I knew that Erin was getting on an airplane to Australia the next morning, to go perform a concert version of the opera. She was thrilled to have the book as a memory of Neil and she assured me that she would be reading it throughout the long flight to Sydney.
Erin lit up a room by just walking into it, and every performance I ever heard her give was radiant and generous and captivating. We are heartbroken. Her strength and determination will continue to be an inspiration to all who knew her.
Read more about Erin Wall here.
IRF Mixtape – John Drinkwater Edition