Clef Notes: A voice of optimism and courage: Sylvia McNair - The Baltimore Sun’s classical music critic Tim Smith blogs about the sonic art, local and beyond

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November 1, 2009

A voice of optimism and courage: Sylvia McNair

In Sunday's paper I have an interview with Slyvia McNair, the exceptional American soprano who, over the past decade, fought cancer, changed career course, and survived an unexpected divorce. Today, she looks fabulous and exudes an inspiring level of confidence and optimism.

She's in Baltimore rehearsing for Friday's premiere of "Songspiel," a show built around Kurt Weill songs and created for her by the American Opera Theater.

Here's a fun video clip of McNair demonstrating her transition from opera to cabaret:

Posted by Tim Smith at 12:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Comments

Thanks for sharing this clip. I hope that whatever Sylvia McNair wants, Slyvia McNair gets. She deserves it!

Posted by: Spencer Gable | November 3, 2009 11:05 AM

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About Tim Smith

I was born in Washington, D.C., and grew up there. Initial thoughts of becoming a cocktail pianist faded when I realized I hated taking requests. I decided to study music history instead, and got a B. A. in that field from Eisenhower College in Seneca Falls, New York, and an M.A. from Occidental College in Los Angeles. After free-lance gigs for the Washington Star and the Washington Post, I worked as classical music critic for the South Florida Sun-Sentinel during the 1980s and '90s, a period when I also ventured into radio, contributing to NPR and hosting a weekly show on a West Palm Beach station. Since April 2000, I've been classical music critic at the Baltimore Sun. Over the years, I've written occasional articles for the New York Times, BBC Music Magazine and other publications, and I'm a longtime, regular contributor to Opera News and the U.K. magazine Opera. You may still be able to find on the remainder racks my one and only book, The NPR Curious Listener's Guide to Classical Music (Perigee, 2002).

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