Lizzie, Singer of the Lakes releases “What is the Word”

Lizzie, known as ‘Singer of the Lakes’ has released an original classical crossover piece “What is the Word.” The song mixes jazz harmonies with a relaxed beat for a contemporary crossover feel. Lizzie has previously been nominated for the National Entertainment Awards in the category of ‘Best Female Solo Artist.’

In Her Own Words

This song is very special to me. I wrote it a number of years ago now, but have only recently had the means and confidence to release it and share it with the world. ‘What is the word’ is about the feeling of love and the journey it can take. If you have told someone you love them and that love grows, what is the word to describe that feeling? I want to transport the listener into thinking about their own feelings of love and what it means to them. 

I wanted to combine my love for musical theatre, jazz and classical crossover singing into the feel of this song. I wanted to combine jazzy harmonies with a relaxed beat and classical crossover feel to the vocal line which includes close harmonies and ethereal long notes. 

The challenge in creating this song for me were the extras I wanted to add in. I wanted to give it a pop feel to make is accessible to more audiences. I tried to capture this vibe by adding some whispering and speaking behind the main melody line of the vocals. Recording this took more time than the melody line, as I wanted to make sure they were in the right place. You should listen out for them. 

The video for this track was filmed during the COVID-19 pandemic in a dark, closed theater by Arra Videos. I wanted to film in this poignant environment and share the image of a dark, closed theater with the world to showcase the work of theaters such as this one. I wanted not only to show what musicians and singers were going through during the pandemic with the theaters and venues closed but support the theater and arts in general. This was filmed at the beautiful Billingham Players in the North East of England. 

Lizzie, Singer of the Lakes

www.singerofthelakes.com

Natasha Barbieri, Editor

Editor

Creator of Classical Crossover Magazine. For Natasha music has always been closely tied to her faith. At age 18, Natasha made her opera debut playing the part of the mother in Menotti’s ‘Amahl and the Night Visitors’ with the Eastern Festival Opera. At 20, she was a winner of the 2011 Young Artist Competition at Andrews University. Natasha graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor’s of Music. Natasha has released a series of Holiday singles “A Place Called Home” (2020), “One Little Boy,” and “The Perfect Year” (2021). In 2021, she was nominated for the ‘Future Classic Women Awards’ show on Men’s & Women’s Radio Station. Natasha is the creator and editor of ‘Classical Crossover Magazine’ a venture that has allowed her to interview many of the top stars in the genre including Sarah Brightman, Celtic Woman, Mirusia, Paul Potts, and more. During the covid-19 pandemic, she created an online concert series for the magazine that has seen her perform in the same line-up as Alex Sharpe, Lucy Kay, Barbara Padilla, Classical Reflection, and more on the virtual stage. In 2022, Natasha was included on the charity album “Stars of Classical Crossover: Christmas” in benefit of the Wallace & Gromit Children’s Charity.