Master Class

Of all the incisive moments in Terrence McNally's "Master Class," his Tony Award-winning tribute to the astonishing Maria Callas, the most compelling may be when "La Divina" - as her devoted fans called the soprano - mentions criticisms she received: "They said they didn't like my sound. But they didn't like my soul." When Tyne Daly delivers that line in the Kennedy Center's exhilarating new production of the play, you feel all the truth and pain behind it. By that point in "Master Class," it's kind of hard to remember that the real Callas isn't on the Eisenhower Theater stage revealing her inner self, so persuasively does Daly animate the character.

In terms of talent, glamour and wide appeal, few opera singers today rank as high as mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves. No wonder there's quite a buzz at the Peabody Conservatory, where Graves will join the voice faculty in the fall. People are still talking about a master class that Graves gave at the conservatory last September. "She didn't know she was auditioning," said Phyllis Bryn-Julson, the distinguished soprano who chairs the voice department. "It was a phenomenal day for the students.

FOR AREA DANCERS looking to study with an internationally known choreographer, Saturday could be a dream come true. Stephen Greenston, former principal dancer with the Stuttgart Ballet in Germany for 22 years, will teach a master class at the Patty Neivert School of Dance from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Greenston, a graduate of St. Paul's School in Brooklandville and American University in Washington, has also performed with the Maryland Ballet, the National Ballet in Washington and the National Ballet of Canada.

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra will be jetting to the West Coast this week for a six-day, three-city tour - its first extended outing since Marin Alsop was named music director five years ago. The tour, which begins Wednesday, opens with a concert in Orange County, Calif., and concludes with one in Eugene, Ore. Between those performances will be a three-day residency at the University of California at Berkeley. "Artistically, it's great for the orchestra, because we get to play in a different hall every day," said Alsop.

FOR AUDIENCES, master classes are a wonderful opportunity to hear polished performances and learn something about what goes into making them -- without ever having to practice scales and trills oneself.So I was delighted to attend a master class given at Peabody last week by world-renowned soprano Diana Soviero, who will sing the title role of Puccini's "Madama Butterfly" for the Baltimore Opera Company's production that opens Thursday.Soviero has sung "Butterfly" in all of the world's great opera houses.

STEPHEN GREENSTON, a principal dancer with the Stuttgart Ballet in Germany and a freelance choreographer, will share his talents with dancers in Carroll County this month, thanks to his long-time friendship with Patty Neivert, director of the Patty Neivert School of Dance.Greenston and Neivert were dance partners in the '70s and have stayed in touch since. When Neivert learned that her old friend would be in the United States to teach master classes at Goucher College, she called him and asked him to work with dancers in Westminster, too.Greenston agreed, and so for two hours on Sept.

Alexander Peskanov, an internationally known pianist and founder of the Piano Olympics, will conduct an all-day master class for piano Saturday in Western Maryland College's Levine Recital Hall.The class, open to the public, will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will be limited to the first 80 participants. The cost is $15 for adults and $5 for students. It was originally scheduled for last month, but was postponed due to the blizzard.Mr. Peskanov has performed with orchestras in several U.S. cities and appeared on the PBS special, "Odessa on the Savannah -- The Music of Alexander Peskanov."

The master class is under way and Stephen Greenston roams through the small dance studio, his eyes intent on finding tiny flaws in the students' posture and technique."

Can anyone become a better writer by taking a course or reading books on the craft of writing? I have no sure answer, though I believe not, not significantly anyway. A lifetime of writing and editing -- and six years of editing The Sun's books pages -- has left me convinced of two things about writers and writing. First is that there are entirely too many people doing too much of it, considering that a huge preponderance of what does get published is of no lasting merit. Second, that great writing comes from a mysterious font of personal genius, nourished by reading great literature and produced by almost unendurably hard work.

NEW YORK -- Although the competition for best musical is the big news at tonight's Tony Awards, the nominees for best new play are also impressive, including work by three of America's top playwrights and one Brit.The real battle will be between August Wilson's "Seven Guitars" and Terrence McNally's "Master Class."The 1940s installment of Wilson's decade-by-decade chronicle of the African-American experience, "Seven Guitars" takes its title from its seven-member cast. The action is told mostly in flashback and focuses on Floyd Barton (Keith David)

Tuesday, Feb. 21 School news The Board of Education meets at 9 a.m. to adopt the 2013 operating and capital budgets and the 2014-2018 capital improvement program at 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City. Information: 410-313-6680. Thursday, Feb. 23 School news The Board of Education meets in the Board Room at 4 p.m. at 10910 Route 108 in Ellicott City. The afternoon and the evening session, which convenes at 7:30 p.m., begin with a public forum, when members of the public may address the board on any topic other than those for which a formal public hearing process exists.

Association seeks new committee members The Columbia Association Wildlife and Habitat Advisory Committee is seeking volunteers/members. Community members interested in waterfowl and wildlife in Columbia are encouraged to attend a meeting at 7:30 p.m. March 12 at Slayton House, 10400 Cross Fox Lane. Information: 410-381-7140. Guest artist master class A master class with "Guest Artist Series" performer Leneida Crawford will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19, at Howard Community College, Monteabaro Hall, 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia.

In terms of talent, glamour and wide appeal, few opera singers today rank as high as mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves. No wonder there's quite a buzz at the Peabody Conservatory, where Graves will join the voice faculty in the fall. People are still talking about a master class that Graves gave at the conservatory last September. "She didn't know she was auditioning," said Phyllis Bryn-Julson, the distinguished soprano who chairs the voice department. "It was a phenomenal day for the students.

Driven and manipulative Evelyn Mulwray in "Chinatown."Driven TV executive Diana Christensen in "Network."Driven and abusive Joan Crawford in "Mommie Dearest."For years Faye Dunaway has been fighting the pushy, larger-than-life stereotype, insisting she is not the roles she plays. But now that she's playing driven opera star Maria Callas, Dunaway embraces the comparison.Local theatergoers can see how well the role fits beginning Tuesday, when the touring production of "Master Class," Terrence McNally's play about Callas, opens at the Lyric Opera House.