Pizarro: Early opera star, soloist reunited
By Sal Pizarro
Mercury News
Article Launched: 10/30/2007 01:58:04 AM PDT

When Symphony Silicon Valley honored longtime supporter John Tyers on Saturday, it also created an unexpected reunion.

Tyers and his wife, Helena, were early stars of Broadway and opera and moved to the Bay Area later in life. John Tyers, who helped recruit conductor George Cleve to the San Jose Symphony more than 35 years ago, died in July at age 92.

Helena Tyers attended Saturday’s concert honoring her husband and featuring Cleve. But she also recognized the evening’s soloist, Seymour Lipkin.

Lipkin, it turns out, had been her accompanist 65 years earlier when she was performing with the Philadelphia Opera Company and he was a 15-year-old pianist attending the Curtis Institute of Music.

Lipkin and Helena Tyers had a grand reunion after the concert. He not only remembered her but also recounted the leading roles she played and the performers who appeared opposite her.

(Found here.*)

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