“As I write, I’m listening to one of the most gorgeous vocal CD’s I’ve heard lately … and no wonder; it’s done by Courtenay Budd – of the lovely soprano voice that’s graced Charles Wadsworth’s Dock Street Chamber programs off and on in recent years.

Ms. Budd – herself a young mother – came up with the idea of producing an album of lullabies, in conspiracy with many of her regular Dock Street colleagues. So not only do we get Ms. Budd’s dulcet singing, but the tuneful and accomplished work of many of the instrumental wizards I’ve been blogging about all this festival (and last): Folks like Todd Palmer (clarinet), Tara Helen O’Connor (flute), Corey Cerovsek and Daniel Philips (violins), plus Alisa Weilerstein (cello). There’s also another famous soprano taking part: Sylvia McNair. You’ll hear quite a few other musicians, too – but you don’t need the whole laundry list here.

Thing is, this idea occurred to Courtenay in the wake of hurricane Katrina, which taught so many of us to think of natural disasters in a whole new way. Thus the entire project is done in the name of disaster relief: every penny of the profits will support exactly that, both domestic and international.

If you love beautiful lullabies, lushly and lovingly sung, this is for you. You’ll get 25 of ‘em in all; sources range from folk material to film (Disney), art song and opera – and they hail from many different corners of the globe.

Hey, this is a win-win proposition: you get gorgeous music that’ll last you forever, and desperate people all over the world get a little bit of help and encouragement when times are tough. I wonder how many of them are little ones who still need lullabies? So GO for it..”

“Without hesitation, we can confidently award this disc Lullaby Album of the Year. Sleep is Behind the Door features Grammy-winning classical musicians and the stunning, heart-melting and highly-acclaimed voice of classically-trained soprano, Courtenay Budd. Ranging from simple voice and piano duets to tenderly orchestrated chamber settings, drawing from cellos, violins, flute, clarinet, guitar and a choral ensemble, this hour of exquisite and precious international lullabies truly eases the heart and lulls the mind, working just as effectively on adults as it does with little ones. Centering around the classical art song form and varying from crystalline impressionistic styles to playful and simple folk-like songs, these 25 tracks sing, waltz and lilt their way into your fanciful thoughts and daydreams. With all profits going to aid victims of natural disasters, this disc brings ease and comfort in more ways than one.”

“Elsewhere on the program, soprano Courtenay Budd sang two selections from her CD, Sleep is Behind the Door: Lullabies for Disaster Relief - an obscure but haunting song by Dvorak and a movement from Canteloube’s Chants d’Auvergne.

The Canteloube piece begins with a relaxed lullaby feel that segues into what you might think of as molto relaxando, after the baby has fallen asleep. At this point, Budd and the six players accompanying her summoned their best sotto voce sound, to sublime effect.”

“Soprano Courtenay Budd performed lullabies by Dvorák (Ukolébavka) and arranged by Canteloube (Brezairola), from her new CD, Sleep Is Behind the Door, being sold as a benefit for disaster relief. The former was accompanied with keen insight and feeling by Wadsworth; the latter, in an arrangement by Fecteau, by O’Connor, Palmer, violinist Daniel Phillips (of the Orion String Quartet), and Christopher Costanza, cello (of the SLSQ). The Dvorák, new to this listener, is a winner, and so, too, is the familiar and much-loved Song of the Auvergne. Budd did these songs great justice, winning enthusiastic applause from the near-capacity audience.

To read more reviews of Sleep is Behind the Door, and to hear sound clips from the album, visit www.cdbaby.com/cd/courtenaybudd.