For a more "classical" take on Cole Porter's songs, OFAM is extremely pleased to present an elegant and altogether classy (and sassy!) evening with 2-time Grammy Award-winning soprano Sylvia McNair in a special concert at the Hult Center's Silva Concert Hall. A rare talent at home on both the operatic stage and in the most intimate cabarets, Ms. McNair has over 70 recordings to her credit ranging from Mozart arias with Sir Neville Marriner and the Academy of St.-Martin-in-the-Fields to CDs with Andre Previn of music by Jerome Kern and Harold Arlen. She has sung for and with just about everyone, from Pope John Paul II, Hillary Clinton and Sandra Day O'Connor to symphony orchestras worldwide (with the likes of Seiji Ozawa, Kurt Masur, Leonard Slatkin and Robert Shaw) and her recent tour-de-force at The Algonquin Hotel's Oak Room. Of that appearance critic Rex Reed wrote, "What a glowing surprise to find Ms. McNair not only in such splendid voice, but thrillingly adept at exploring the subtexts of songs in a dozen variable moods… For a classical singer making a segue into the art of the popular song, her phrasing is exemplary. Her modulations are inspired. Her time is enviable… I could get used to this kind of ecstasy!"
Who better to bring out the classic feel of Porter's music? Ms. McNair will focus her considerable talents on graceful new arrangements of Porter's music for voice and chamber orchestra by our own Dick Hyman, specially crafted for James Paul and the American Symphonia. Watch for guest appearances by members of the Dick Hyman Band, including Ken Peplowski on clarinet, Doug Miller on bass, and Dick himself on piano.
| | In The Still Of The Night |
| Were Thine That Special Face |
| Dream Dancing (1941) You'll Never Get Rich Cole Porter (w/m) instrumental |