A fresh voice on the New York Choral scene, the 32-voice Melodia Women's Choir was founded by Executive Director Jenny Clarke in 2003. The ensemble explores and performs rarely-heard music for women's voices in many different styles, nurturing emerging women composers through commissions, residencies and performances. Directed by Cynthia Powell, founding conductor, Melodia has performed 18 full evening performances, at Symphony Space, Merkin Concert Hall, Church of Saint Ignatius Loyola and many other venues. "Songs from the Heart" is a live recording of a performance at Merkin in May of 2010, featuring 23 classical songs from the romantic period and some contemporary selections, such as the 4-part "Vier Lieder aus dem Jungbrunnen" by Johannes Brahms, the 5-part "Partsongs" by Robert Schumann, "Lied mit Chor from Midsummer Night's Dream" by Felix Mendelssohn and "Angel from Six Choruses, Op. 15" by Serge Rachmaninoff, many of them piano accompanied. This is a lovely, impressive collection by Melodia, a fast-rising ensemble on New York's vibrant choral scene!