Perhaps there is no greater emotional pain than the sorrow felt at the loss of a loved one, especially the loss of a little child. Someone has adequately expressed that “The loss of a loved one turns our life upside down. Our world as we knew it has changed and those changes require that we, in turn, adjust to a new “normal.”” Someone has also said, “There is no foot too small that it cannot leave an imprint on this world.” More importantly, those tiny feet leave indelible imprints on the hearts of those who loved them.

Opera singers Rachel Payne and Robert Norman are all too familiar with the pain felt when a little one dies suddenly. In a heartfelt rendition of the hymn “Be Still My Soul” they capture that pain, all the while giving the calm reassurance that even in the midst of pain and sorrow, hope can still be found through Jesus Christ.

The recording is from the album Mourning distributed by Shadow Mountain Records.  According to the video description, Mourning “takes listeners through one of the most poignant joys and tragedies of life. Wanting, having, losing, and keeping hope after the loss of a child.” The piano accompaniment for the song was arranged and performed by Brian Farrell, and recorded at Sonic Gravy with John Swihart and David Gonzalez.

Speaking about the making of the album Mourning, Rachel Payne commented, “I have always wanted to do something musically as a tribute to my brother who died from SIDS many years ago. When I met tenor, Robert Norman and discovered he also lost a brother to SIDS, it was very clear that we needed to make this recording now.” All proceeds from the album go to the SIDS foundation.

American author and university professor, John DeFrain has said, “The death of a baby is like a stone cast into the stillness of a quiet pool; the concentric ripples of despair sweep out in all directions, affecting many, many people.” For this very reason, Rachel has a desire to get a copy of the recording into the hands of every individual who has suffered this kind of grief to help provide solace and comfort as they struggle to adjust to a new “normal” in their life. British theologian, Richard Hooker offers further support. He said, “Think of your child, then, not as dead, but as living; not as a flower that has withered, but as one that is transplanted, and touched by a Divine hand, is blooming in richer colors and sweeter shades than those of earth.”

Rachel Payne, a native of San Jose California, is a world-class dramatic soprano and actress who first became involved in music as an infant. She became a professional singer at the age of seven performing for The San Jose Civic Light Opera at that young age. Her impressive vocals garnered her a nomination for an award. She also studied voice at the Manhattan School of Music Her performing experience has varied from mainstage opera and musical theater to television, film and commercial jingles.

Robert Norman has performed nationally with L.A. Opera, Opera San José, Opera Santa Barbara, Opera Las Vegas, Long Beach Opera, and Union Avenue Opera. He received both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from CSU Northridge and is an alumnus of the Opera Santa Barbara Studio Artist Program.