Sylvia Horwitz

August 31, 1922—August 22, 2023

Syl was instilled with a love for music at an early age by her mother.  After her primary schooling in Bangor, Maine she attended the Julliard School of Music in New York before returning to complete her college degree at the University of Maine in 1944.  Syl’s musical gifts ultimately led to her chance meeting with a young soldier, Seymour Horwitz, during one of her singing performances.  Following a wartime correspondence courtship, chronicled in her husband’s novel, One Doctor’s War, the couple wed on June 12, 1946.

Following her marriage, Syl skillfully balanced and juggled her family life and time on the stage as a singer and actress.  Her career literally spanned decades starting in 1948 with the Schenectady Light Opera Company where she performed in dozens of shows, half of which were in leading roles.  For a time, she also served on the Board for SLOC.  In addition, Syl served as President of the Etude Club, was active with the Schenectady Civic Players, Oratorio Society and a dinner theatre group.  She also independently performed in local public schools, houses of worship and nursing/retirement homes. After moving from Schenectady, Syl lived in Niskayuna, Jensen Beach, Fl., and finally in Glens Falls.

Syl’s essence is embodied by the words of Lydia Maria Child. “While I listened, music was to my soul what the atmosphere is to my body; it was the breath of my inward life…the highest symbol of the infinite and holy…the secret of creation lay in music…the sound that led the stars into their places.

SLOC CREDITS:

  • Canticleer Hall Dorothy  Oneida Jr. HS  1948
  • Wizard of the Nile Cleopatra  Mont Pleasant HS May 1950
  • The Chocolate Soldier Nadia  Erie Theatre 1951
  • Yeoman of the Guard Elsie Maynard  Erie Theatre May 1953
  • Die Fiedermaus Adele Erie Theatre 1956  Last show at Erie. The theater was demolished.
  • Merry Widow Sonia  Burnt Hills Auditorium May 1957
  • Gypsy Baron Saffi Niskayuna HS May 1962
  • Where’s Charley Donna Lucia D’Alvadores Niskayuna HS May 1963
  • The Sound of Music Mother Superior (Mother Abbess) Niskayuna HS Nov./Dec. 1968
  • Mame Madame Branislowski Niskayuna HS April 1971
  • Oliver Sowerberry Niskayuna HS Nov. 1971
  • Fiddler on the Roof Golde  Niskayuna HS April 1973
  • High Button Shoes Mama Longstreet  Niskayuna HS Nov. 1974
  • 50th Anniversary Concert Soloist Jan. 1976
  • Ten Nights In A Barroom Morgan  State Street Opera House  Feb. 1976
  • Curly McDimple Hamilton State Street Opera House Oct. 1977
  • A Little Night Music Nordstrom Niskayuna HS April 1978
  • Carousel Nettie Fowler Niskayuna HS Nov. 1979
  • S.V.P. Ernestine  Niskayuna HS 1959
  • 60th Anniversary Concert Duet with Lenny Tucker: “Do You Love Me.”  State Street Opera House, Oct.  1987 Sylvia’s last appearance with SLOC.

SLOC COMPANY CREDITS:

  • Board Member
  • VP Artistic Operations

Studied at Juilliard School of Music.