Dyana Neal's speaking voice is well-known to classical music fans in the region -- she's the midday host at WBJC-FM. Her singing voice will be the focus Thursday night at An die Musik, where Neal will perform a mix of arias, Broadway tunes and classics of the American Songbook.

Like many others, Neal lost a valued performance outlet when the Baltimore Opera Company slipped into bankruptcy -- she had been a chorus member since 2002. For the An die Musik event, "I am planning to dedicate I'll See You Again' to the Baltimore Opera Chorus because I hope very much to work with my BOC colleagues again in the future," Neal says in an e-mail message. "Let's hope better times are ahead for opera in Baltimore."

She will be accompanied by pianist Diane Kinsley during the Thursday recital, and joined for a couple of numbers by her husband, baritone and architect Jim Knost. The program includes arias from Il trovatore and Carmen, along with such standards as "Skylark," "Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend," "Losing my Mind," and "Every Time We Say Goodbye" (that song could also be dedicated to the casualties of Baltimore Opera's collapse).

Incidentally, I learned from Neal's bio that she has done some film work, including an appearance in my favorite John Waters film, Pecker. I'll have to dig that DVD out again soon and keep an eye out for her.  

PHOTO COURTESY OF AN DIE MUSIK, WBJC