For The Stars to be released on 2001-04-10, with several performances in USA
USA Today, 2001-04-06
- Elysa Gardner

 

Von Otter and Costello's artistic merger

Elvis Costello has collaborated with musicians ranging from Burt Bacharach to jazz saxophonist Roy Nathanson to the Brodsky Quartet. Now the post-punk pop bard teams up with another accomplished artist from outside the rock realm: classical mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter.

Costello produced and plays on von Otter's new album, For the Stars, due in stores Tuesday and featuring tunes by the Beach Boys, Tom Waits, Abba and Costello himself. On June 6, he will appear on stage with von Otter when she performs in Manhattan. The concert will be broadcast locally on WFUV-FM and will later air on other public radio stations across the country. The two also team up on The Late Show With David Letterman on June 8.

The Swedish-born von Otter acknowledged that when Costello approached her about working together, "I didn't have a single one of his albums! But he lent me some of his recordings, and I began to understand his background, this incredible talent."

-- Elysa Gardner