Birth

:

1953 in New York City, NY

Death

:

January 29, 2019 in New York City, NY

Genre

:

Vocal

 

Sanford Sylvan was an American baritone and classical music artist who was born on April 22, 1953, in New York City. He was raised in Great Neck, Long Island, and began his musical training at an early age. Sylvan attended the Juilliard School of Music, where he studied voice with Beverley Peck Johnson and Lili Chookasian. He also studied with Phyllis Curtin at Tanglewood and with Martial Singher at the Aspen Music Festival. Sylvan made his professional debut in 1975 with the New York City Opera, where he performed the role of the Count in Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro. He quickly established himself as a leading baritone in the opera world, performing with major companies such as the Metropolitan Opera, the San Francisco Opera, and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Sylvan was known for his rich, warm voice and his ability to convey emotion through his singing. In addition to his opera work, Sylvan was also a sought-after concert performer. He performed with major orchestras such as the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He was particularly known for his interpretations of the works of Benjamin Britten, and he performed in many of Britten's operas and vocal works. One of Sylvan's most notable performances was his portrayal of the title character in Britten's Billy Budd. He performed the role at the Metropolitan Opera in 1994, and his performance was widely praised for its emotional depth and musicality. Sylvan also performed the role of the Count in Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro many times throughout his career, and he was known for his nuanced portrayal of the character. Sylvan was the recipient of many awards and honors throughout his career. In 1989, he won a Grammy Award for his recording of John Adams' Nixon in China. He was also awarded the Richard Tucker Award in 1995, which is given to an American singer who is on the verge of a major international career. Sylvan was known for his commitment to contemporary music, and he premiered many new works by composers such as John Harbison, Peter Lieberson, and Christopher Rouse. Sylvan was also a respected teacher and mentor. He taught at the Mannes School of Music in New York City and at the Tanglewood Music Center. He was known for his ability to connect with his students and for his dedication to helping them develop their own unique voices. Sadly, Sylvan passed away on January 29, 2019, at the age of 65. His death was a great loss to the classical music world, and he was remembered by many as a gifted performer and a kind and generous person. Sylvan's legacy lives on through his recordings and through the many students he taught and inspired throughout his career.

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