Maynor, Dorothy (1910-1996), a black American singer, gained fame for her pure, sweet soprano voice. She was especially effective performing the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and George Frideric Handel. She also excelled in singing spirituals and German lieder (songs). Maynor’s career was limited to concerts and recordings because major opera houses would not hire black artists while she was active.
Maynor was born in Norfolk, Virginia. Her father was a clergyman. She first sang in his church’s choir. Conductor Serge Koussevitzky heard her at the Tanglewood Festival in 1939 and hired her as a soloist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
