Letters from the Front

Angela Born, Ian Gindes, David Govertsen, Desirée Hassler, John Riesen, Mirabelle Ordinare,

Patrick Zimmerli

COMING SOON

Executive Producers: Ian Gindes, Jonathan Estabrooks

Associate Producer: Ann Gindes, Maria Valdes, and John Riesen

Recording Engineers: Charlie Post

Mixing: Tom Lazarus, Patrick Zimmerli

Mastering Engineer: Patrick Conlon

Recorded January 12-14, 2026 at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, Skokie, Illinois Heights.

NOTES ON THE ALBUM

Composed by Patrick Zimmerli with libretto by Mirabelle Ordinaire, Letters From The Front is a new work for four voices and piano based on letters sent by American service members and their loved ones during wartime. Executive Producer and pianist Ian Gindes teamed with artistic originator Steve Robinson alongside Zimmerli and Ordinaire to select the letters and set their words to music in honor of the 250th birthday of the United States. Tenor John Riesen, Mezzo-soprano Angela Born, Bass-baritone David Govertsen, and Soprano Desirée Hassler bring to life the voices of the writers by telling their stories. This music is a tribute to the men and women who made the sacrifice of service over the course of 250 years in the hope that their duty was done for a greater purpose — for their families, friends, neighbors, communities, and country.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Acclaimed for her “rich, clear voice” that is “geared towards storytelling” (Chicagoland Musical Theatre), mezzo-soprano Angela Born is a fach-defying opera theatre artist and interpreter of new classical works. She has performed with many opera companies, including Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company, Ouroboros Opera Company, and Chicago City Opera.

Lauded by Gramophone magazine (UK) for his “keyboard brilliance,” pianist and Executive Producer Ian Gindes has performed around the United States, including at New York’s Carnegie Hall. His music has been on Sirius XM, WWFM, and WFMT Chicago. Additionally, Gindes has served in the Illinois Army National Guard for over 20 years.

Bass-baritone David Govertsen is a regular performer with Lyric Opera of Chicago and is a member of Fourth Coast Ensemble. He has performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Ricardo Muti.

Lyric Opera of Chicago soprano Desirée Hassler has appeared in many productions with Lyric, including the televised 2022 Emmy-award winning production of Pagliacci.

Hailed as “every inch the hero in stature and voice” (Classical Voice North America), award-winning tenor John Riesen has performed with orchestras and opera companies around the United States, including Dallas Symphony Orchestra, New York Oratorio Society, Nashville Opera, and Opera Las Vegas.

Director, librettist, and translator Mirabelle Ordinare joined the Metropolitan Opera Stage Directors (New York) in 2018, and is thrilled to have been the revival director of Zeffirelli’s iconic Bohème production there for the past three seasons.

Praised by The New York Times for his score’s "irresistible energy…classical forms, jazz harmonies, and Arvo Pärt-like meditativeness (Piano Trio No 1)” Patrick Zimmerli is an American composer, jazz saxophonist, and producer. His full-length opera, Lucia Joyce, premiered in Dublin, Ireland in April 2026. Zimmerli’s work has received acclaim from many reviewers, including those of The New Yorker and The Financial Times (London).

TRACK LIST

Overture
I'll Live For Your Letters
I Set Myself Down This Moment
Tonite Two Fellows Got Together
A Minute Doesn't Go By
Preparation for Battle
Vietnam War Song
Poem For Irving F. Diamond
I'll Live For Your Letters Reprise
Where Are You Tonight?
All Greasy and Salty
This is a Most Horrible War
Engagement Letter
A Baby at Home
I Have a Rendezvous with Death
Now There Will Be Stories to Tell
It Won't Be Long Now
Finale