Sanford Sylvan
baritone
From Schubert’s Winterreise and the Passions of JS Bach to the operas of John Adams, baritone Sanford Sylvan has achieved acclaim for his singing in operatic, orchestral and recital performances in the major concert halls and opera houses of the United States and Europe. He has collaborated with many of the leading conductors and opera directors throughout the world. Deeply committed to the art of the vocal recital, his performances and recordings with pianist David Breitman have earned three Grammy nominations for Best Classical Vocal Performance.
Sanford’s portrayals of the Mozart roles of Figaro in Le nozze di Figaro and Don Alfonso in Così fan tutte have been seen internationally on video and as part of PBS’s Great Performances. He has premiered several important works written for him by John Adams: the role of Chou En-Lai in Nixon in China, which received an Emmy and a Grammy Award, as well as lead roles in The Death of Klinghoffer and The Wound-Dresser. He portrays Klinghoffer in the film adaptation of the opera by director Penny Woolcock, which has won numerous awards including the 2003 Prix d’Italia as Best Arts Film.
Sanford has appeared at the Glyndebourne, Edinburgh, London Proms, Tanglewood, Vienna, Holland and the Carmel Bach festivals. He can be seen on DVD for Decca and heard on recordings for Nonesuch, Decca, Harmonia Mundi, Virgin Classics and Koch International.
