Carmen, and Anna in
Robin Smith Photography/Alexander Turnbull Library/Ref PAColl-3493-03
Emily Mair as Adina, with Graeme Gorton, in Donizetti’s L’Elisir d’Amore in 1967. Three years in the BBC Chorus followed, working with eminent conductors. She met and, in 1951, married New Zealand cellist Wilfrid Simenauer. They gave many concerts together.
The Radio Times reveals that, before 1960, Emily broadcast on the BBC (at least) seven times as a collaborative pianist (mostly with Wilf) and twice as a singer. This changed. Between 1960 and 1964, she made just three broadcasts as a pianist, but seven as a singer. 1960 was a pivotal year. Emily appeared at Glyndebourne (as Emily Maire – Mair sounding just a bit too Ayrshire for Glyndebourne management) singing the First Boy in