Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Opera

 

 

Orchestral

 

 

Symphony

 

Cynthia Clarey is a renowned American mezzo-soprano who has made a significant contribution to the world of classical music. Born in 1955 in Chicago, Illinois, Clarey grew up in a family that valued music and the arts. Her mother was a pianist, and her father was a jazz musician. Clarey's love for music began at an early age, and she started singing in her church choir when she was just six years old. Clarey attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance. She then went on to study at the Juilliard School in New York City, where she received a Master of Music degree. During her time at Juilliard, Clarey studied with renowned vocal coaches such as Beverley Peck Johnson and Ellen Faull. After completing her studies, Clarey began her professional career as a member of the Houston Grand Opera Studio. She made her debut with the company in 1982, playing the role of the Third Lady in Mozart's "The Magic Flute." Clarey quickly established herself as a rising star in the opera world, and she went on to perform with some of the most prestigious opera companies in the United States and Europe. One of Clarey's most notable performances was her portrayal of the title character in the world premiere of John Adams' opera "Nixon in China" at the Houston Grand Opera in 1987. The opera, which tells the story of President Richard Nixon's historic visit to China in 1972, was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to establish Adams as one of the leading composers of his generation. Clarey's performance as Pat Nixon was widely praised, and it helped to cement her reputation as one of the most talented mezzo-sopranos of her time. Clarey has also performed with the Metropolitan Opera, the San Francisco Opera, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Paris Opera, and the Royal Opera House in London. She has worked with some of the most renowned conductors in the world, including James Levine, Seiji Ozawa, and Sir Simon Rattle. In addition to her work in opera, Clarey has also performed in concert halls around the world. She has sung with the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra, among others. She has performed works by composers such as Mahler, Beethoven, Brahms, and Verdi, and she has received critical acclaim for her interpretations of these works. Throughout her career, Clarey has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to the world of classical music. In 1990, she was awarded the Richard Tucker Award, which is given annually to an American singer who is on the verge of a major international career. She has also been honored by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Opera Foundation, and the Houston Grand Opera. In addition to her work as a performer, Clarey is also a dedicated teacher and mentor. She has taught at the University of Michigan, the University of Illinois, and the University of Houston, and she has worked with young singers at the Houston Grand Opera Studio and the Santa Fe Opera Apprentice Program. Clarey's contributions to the world of classical music have been significant, and her talent and dedication have inspired countless young musicians. She continues to perform and teach, and her legacy as one of the great mezzo-sopranos of her generation is secure.

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