Fresh off a recording session for his new album with pianist Peter Dugan, A Silent Night, baritone John Brancy relishes the chance to take a break from the opera stage, and spend time with art song.

Luckily, Brancy returns next week to the New York Festival of Song for Rodgers, Rodgers & Guettel: A Century of American Musical Theater November 1 and 3 at the Kaufman Music Center’s Merkin Concert Hall. Brancy will perform with Tony Award-nominated singers Lauren Worsham and Mary Testa, tenor Hal Cazalet, and pianists Steven Blier and Michael Barrett, singing the music of Richard Rodgers (Oklahoma!, The King and I), his daughter Mary Rodgers (One Upon A Mattress), and his grandson Adam Guettel (A Light in the Piazza).

Brancy is also hosting this week’s “Song of the Day” series on the NYFOS blog, where his picks include Poulenc’s “Priez pour paix” and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Soliloquy” from Carousel

We spoke with Brancy about his upcoming A Silent Night with Peter Dugan, why he loves his work with the New York Festival of Song, and how he keeps healthy enough to make it all happen.