San Francisco Bach Choir: Musicians

The San Francisco Bach Choir also performs with many renowned vocal soloists and instrumentalists, as well as with its own orchestra and chamber consort (managed by John Thiessen) selected from internationally acclaimed instrumentalists.

Known for her unusually wide vocal range, Elspeth Franks performs a wide array of operatic and concert roles throughout the mezzo, alto and soprano repertoires. Ms. Franks was recently heard as the alto soloist in Bach’s Mass in B Minor, St. Matthew Passion and Bach’s G Minor Mass with the San Francisco Bach Choir, Bach’s Magnificat with San Francisco Choral Society, and Verdi’s Requiem with the Berkeley Community Chorus and Orchestra. She made her New York debut with the Mark Morris Dance Group in the role of Commère (Four Saints in Three Acts), a role she repeated with them in September 2005. She made her European debut in 2004 in Haydn’s Harmoniemesse in Munich, Prague, Budapest and Vienna. Named a Virginia Best Adams Fellow at the Carmel Bach Festival for 2002 and 2003, Ms. Franks returned there this summer as featured soprano soloist in Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and the seldom heard Trauer-Kantate. Other appearances have included Sacramento Opera; Virginia Opera; Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra; Fresno Philharmonic; Berkeley Symphony; Bear Valley Music Festival; San Luis Obispo Mozart Festival; Rogue Opera (OR); Rimrock Opera (MT); West Bay Opera and Pocket Opera.

Dan Hutchings Tenor Daniel Hutchings is a graduate of Oberlin Conservatory under the instruction of Richard Miller. Mr. Hutchings performs extensively with early music ensembles throughout the Bay Area. He is a featured soloist and regular member of the American Bach Soloists; a member of the Philharmonia Baroque Chorale; and a member of the acclaimed Schola Cantorum of the National Shrine of St. Francis, a 12-voice ensemble specializing in a repertory of Gregorian chant and Renaissance style liturgies. He frequently performs solos with the San Francisco Bach Choir, including Bach’s Magnificat, B minor Mass, and various cantatas. He also appeared with the Bach Choir as the Evangelist in Schütz’s Christmas Oratorio. The San Francisco Classical Voice says, “tenor Dan Hutchings...performed with great sensitivity. Hutchings’ high clarion tenor is perfect for Bach’s music.”

Other recent appearances include: featured tenor in Haydn’s Paukenmesse, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Laud to the Nativity by Respighi, and works by Charpentier with the early music ensemble Magnificat. He performs yearly at the Carmel Bach Festival, and was one of its four 2003 Virginia Best Adams Fellows.



		Musicians Guest Artists The San Francisco Bach Choir also performs with many renowned vocal soloists and instrumentalists, as well as with its own orchestra and chamber consort (managed by John Thiessen) selected from internationally acclaimed instrumentalists. Known for her unusually wide vocal range, Elspeth Franks performs a wide array of operatic and concert roles throughout the mezzo, alto and soprano repertoires. Ms. Franks was recently heard as the alto soloist in Bach’s Mass in B Minor, St. Matthew Passion and Bach’s G Minor Mass with the San Francisco Bach Choir, Bach’s Magnificat with San Francisco Choral Society, and Verdi’s Requiem with the Berkeley Community Chorus and Orchestra. She made her New York debut with the Mark Morris Dance Group in the role of Commère (Four Saints in Three Acts), a role she repeated with them in September 2005. She made her European debut in 2004 in Haydn’s Harmoniemesse in Munich, Prague, Budapest and Vienna. Named a Virginia Best Adams Fellow at the Carmel Bach Festival for 2002 and 2003, Ms. Franks returned there this summer as featured soprano soloist in Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and the seldom heard Trauer-Kantate. Other appearances have included Sacramento Opera; Virginia Opera; Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra; Fresno Philharmonic; Berkeley Symphony; Bear Valley Music Festival; San Luis Obispo Mozart Festival; Rogue Opera (OR); Rimrock Opera (MT); West Bay Opera and Pocket Opera. Tenor Daniel Hutchings is a graduate of Oberlin Conservatory under the instruction of Richard Miller. Mr. Hutchings performs extensively with early music ensembles throughout the Bay Area. He is a featured soloist and regular member of the American Bach Soloists; a member of the Philharmonia Baroque Chorale; and a member of the acclaimed Schola Cantorum of the National Shrine of St. Francis, a 12-voice ensemble specializing in a repertory of Gregorian chant and Renaissance style liturgies. He frequently performs solos with the San Francisco Bach Choir, including Bach’s Magnificat, B minor Mass, and various cantatas. He also appeared with the Bach Choir as the Evangelist in Schütz’s Christmas Oratorio. The San Francisco Classical Voice says, “tenor Dan Hutchings...performed with great sensitivity. Hutchings’ high clarion tenor is perfect for Bach’s music.” Other recent appearances include: featured tenor in Haydn’s Paukenmesse, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Laud to the Nativity by Respighi, and works by Charpentier with the early music ensemble Magnificat. He performs yearly at the Carmel Bach Festival, and was one of its four 2003 Virginia Best Adams Fellows.

Musicians

Guest Artists