Singers who did something different than just go through the standard repertoire, with a group of serious songs, a few funny ones (yuck), something in French, then something in German, but always looking as if they had eaten something wrong before the concert.

For me, the most cheerful and communicative song singer was definitely Roberta Alexander. She could turn a recital into a joyful event by bringing the songs—mostly by American composers—to life with her personality and her voice. Her recitals were neither stiff nor pretentious, and that’s precisely why I’ll never forget them.