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.

Debra Nagy recently completed a Master’s degree in baroque oboe at the Oberlin Conservatory in Oberlin, OH (U.S.A.) where she studied with James Caldwell and Gonzalo Ruiz. In 2002, Debra won first prize in the American Bach Soloists (ABS) Young Artist Competition, joining them as soloist during their 2003 season. She has also performed with Portland’s Trinity Consort, the Portland Baroque Orchestra, Washington Bach Consort, Aradia Ensemble of Toronto, Ensemble Rebel, and les Boreades of Montreal. In addition to playing period oboes, Debra performs 15th Century music on recorders and shawms with ensemble Ciaramella.

She has been the recipient of several awards both for her playing and pursuits including a Master’s Scholarship presented by the Ohio Federation of Music Clubs, the Artistry in Oboe Performance Award from Oberlin, and study scholarships sponsored by Early Music America.

Debra spent 2003 studying in Brussels and at the Conservatory of Amsterdam as a recipient of a Belgian American Educational Foundation Grant. She is currently a Doctoral student in Early Music at Case Western Reserve University where she directs the instrumental Collegium Musicum. She has recorded for Naxos and ATMA and Hänssler Classics, and had live performances featured on CBC Radio Canada, WGBH Boston, and WQXR in New York City.

Soprano Sarah Pelletier includes among her credits performances at the world’s leading music festivals: the Spoleto Festival USA, Bard Music Festival, Aldeburgh Festival, and the Steans Institute at the Ravinia Festival. She recently completed a tour of Madama Butterfly and Peter Grimes with Maestro Seiji Ozawa to Japan, China, and Italy with performances at the Saito Kinen Festival and the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino. The year 2004 brought her debut at the Kennedy Center on the Millennium Stage; her Carnegie Hall debut, performing Mozart Vesperae Solennes and Rutter Mass of the Children; and her debut at Smetana Hall in Prague with Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy. Ms. Pelletier was the recipient of a Vocal Fellowship at the reknowned Tanglewood Music Center.

Ms. Pelletier has appeared in opera productions with Opera North, Opera Theater of Philadelphia, Opera-Aperta of Boston, and the Aldeburgh Festival, UK. Her operatic roles have included the Countess in Le nozze di Figaro, Fiordiligi in Cosí fan tutte, Mimí in La Bohčme, Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Lady Billows in Albert Herring. She has collaborated on these productions with many esteemed conductors and directors such as Seiji Ozawa, David Kneuss, Drew Minter, James Robert Carson, and Craig Smith.

As a concert soloist, she has performed with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, Garden State Philharmonic, Masterwork Chorus and Orchestra, Princeton Pro Musica, and Westminster Community Orchestra of New Jersey. In the Boston area, she has performed with the Cambridge Symphony, Hingham Symphony, Emmanuel Music, Coro Allegro, and New England Classical Singers. Her recent performances have included Brahms’ Requiem, Haydn’s The Creation, Mozart’s Requiem and C minor Mass, Handel’s Alexander’s Feast, and Handel’s Messiah at the Washington National Cathedral.

Her interest in Contemporary Music has led to premieres by Howard Frazin, John Goodman, James Yannatos, and Arlene Zallman as well as performances under the direction of Lukas Foss, Robert Spano, and John Harbison. She has performed on many contemporary music series including the Tanglewood Festival of Contemporary Music, Composers in Red Sneakers, the “Music in Time Series” at Spoleto Festival USA, and with Santa Fe New Music. Ms. Pelletier has been featured on the BBC radio broadcast Live from Tanglewood and has recorded Britten’s Te Deum in C under Joseph Flummerfelt for Chesky Records. Upcoming performances include the title role in Schumann’s opera Genoveva for Boston’s Emmanuel Music and Handel’s Semele at Princeton University.

British-born Elspeth Franks, alto, is one of the West Coast’s busiest young singers. This season, she made her debut with Sacramento Opera in the role of Stephano in their production of Romeo and Juliet, and makes her debut with the San Francisco Bach Choir in these performances. In 2003, she made her debut with Virginia Opera’s production of Die Fledermaus in the role of Orlofsky. She was invited back to the Carmel Bach Festival and named the Virginia Best Adams Fellow for the second year, an honor not usually given for more than one season. She made her New York debut in the role of Commère (Four Saints in Three Acts) with the Mark Morris Dance Group.

On the West coast, Ms Franks has appeared with such companies as Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Chorale; the Berkeley Symphony; Carmel Bach Festival; Bear Valley Music Festival; the San Luis Obispo Mozart Festival; the West Marin Music Festival; Rogue Opera (OR); Rimrock Opera (MT); West Bay Opera and Pocket Opera. As a Young Artist with Florida Grand Opera, she was heard as Bianca (The Rape of Lucretia), the Aunt (Madama Butterfly), and Mrs. Nolan (The Medium). Upcoming performances include the title role of Handel’s Rinaldo with Pocket Opera; Haydn’s Harmoniemesse in Sacramento, CA, and in Munich, Prague, Budapest and Vienna; a return to Sacramento Opera as Berta in Rossini’s Il barbiere di Siviglia; and the role of Sesto in Mozart’s La clemenza di Tito at the Carmel Bach Festival in 2005.

An active performer on the concert stage, both in recital and oratorio work, Ms. Franks has also given recitals throughout the U.K. and the U.S.A. featuring the music of contemporary English, French and American composers.

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.

A native of Long Island, New York, baritone Tim Krol performed and toured with Chanticleer, America’s premiere a cappella vocal ensemble, from 1991 to 2000. He can be heard on thirteen of that group’s recordings, including the Grammy Award-winning Colors of Love. Mr. Krol is a featured soloist on the world premiere recording (Dorian label) of Sir John Tavener’s Ikon of Eros, with the Minnesota Orchestra. He also sings the lead role of Jim on the critically acclaimed recording of David Conte’s chamber opera, The Gift of the Magi, on the Arsis label. Opera credits include The Ferryman in Benjamin Britten’s Curlew River; Harry or Larry in Elliot Carter’s What Next?; Jim Easton in David Conte’s The Dreamers; and Schaunard in Puccini’s La Bohème.

Tim is delighted to once again be singing with The San Francisco Bach Choir. As a concert and oratorio soloist, he has performed throughout the United States, including many of Bach’s Cantatas, St. John Passion (Jesus); Handel’s Messiah, Judas Maccabeus, Aci, Galatea e Polifemo; Haydn’s Theresienne Messe, Paukenmesse, Creation; Vivaldi’s Magnificat; Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem, Five Mystical Songs; Mozart and Fauré Requiems, Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610, Samuel Barber’s Dover Beach, and the title role in Mendelssohn’s Elijah.



		Musicians Guest Artists for 2004-2005 Season 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. Debra Nagy recently completed a Master’s degree in baroque oboe at the Oberlin Conservatory in Oberlin, OH (U.S.A.) where she studied with James Caldwell and Gonzalo Ruiz. In 2002, Debra won first prize in the American Bach Soloists (ABS) Young Artist Competition, joining them as soloist during their 2003 season. She has also performed with Portland’s Trinity Consort, the Portland Baroque Orchestra, Washington Bach Consort, Aradia Ensemble of Toronto, Ensemble Rebel, and les Boreades of Montreal. In addition to playing period oboes, Debra performs 15th Century music on recorders and shawms with ensemble Ciaramella. She has been the recipient of several awards both for her playing and pursuits including a Master’s Scholarship presented by the Ohio Federation of Music Clubs, the Artistry in Oboe Performance Award from Oberlin, and study scholarships sponsored by Early Music America. Debra spent 2003 studying in Brussels and at the Conservatory of Amsterdam as a recipient of a Belgian American Educational Foundation Grant. She is currently a Doctoral student in Early Music at Case Western Reserve University where she directs the instrumental Collegium Musicum. She has recorded for Naxos and ATMA and Hänssler Classics, and had live performances featured on CBC Radio Canada, WGBH Boston, and WQXR in New York City. Soprano Sarah Pelletier includes among her credits performances at the world’s leading music festivals: the Spoleto Festival USA, Bard Music Festival, Aldeburgh Festival, and the Steans Institute at the Ravinia Festival. She recently completed a tour of Madama Butterfly and Peter Grimes with Maestro Seiji Ozawa to Japan, China, and Italy with performances at the Saito Kinen Festival and the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino. The year 2004 brought her debut at the Kennedy Center on the Millennium Stage; her Carnegie Hall debut, performing Mozart Vesperae Solennes and Rutter Mass of the Children; and her debut at Smetana Hall in Prague with Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy. Ms. Pelletier was the recipient of a Vocal Fellowship at the reknowned Tanglewood Music Center. Ms. Pelletier has appeared in opera productions with Opera North, Opera Theater of Philadelphia, Opera-Aperta of Boston, and the Aldeburgh Festival, UK. Her operatic roles have included the Countess in Le nozze di Figaro, Fiordiligi in Cosí fan tutte, Mimí in La Bohčme, Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Lady Billows in Albert Herring. She has collaborated on these productions with many esteemed conductors and directors such as Seiji Ozawa, David Kneuss, Drew Minter, James Robert Carson, and Craig Smith. As a concert soloist, she has performed with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, Garden State Philharmonic, Masterwork Chorus and Orchestra, Princeton Pro Musica, and Westminster Community Orchestra of New Jersey. In the Boston area, she has performed with the Cambridge Symphony, Hingham Symphony, Emmanuel Music, Coro Allegro, and New England Classical Singers. Her recent performances have included Brahms’ Requiem, Haydn’s The Creation, Mozart’s Requiem and C minor Mass, Handel’s Alexander’s Feast, and Handel’s Messiah at the Washington National Cathedral. Her interest in Contemporary Music has led to premieres by Howard Frazin, John Goodman, James Yannatos, and Arlene Zallman as well as performances under the direction of Lukas Foss, Robert Spano, and John Harbison. She has performed on many contemporary music series including the Tanglewood Festival of Contemporary Music, Composers in Red Sneakers, the “Music in Time Series” at Spoleto Festival USA, and with Santa Fe New Music. Ms. Pelletier has been featured on the BBC radio broadcast Live from Tanglewood and has recorded Britten’s Te Deum in C under Joseph Flummerfelt for Chesky Records. Upcoming performances include the title role in Schumann’s opera Genoveva for Boston’s Emmanuel Music and Handel’s Semele at Princeton University. British-born Elspeth Franks, alto, is one of the West Coast’s busiest young singers. This season, she made her debut with Sacramento Opera in the role of Stephano in their production of Romeo and Juliet, and makes her debut with the San Francisco Bach Choir in these performances. In 2003, she made her debut with Virginia Opera’s production of Die Fledermaus in the role of Orlofsky. She was invited back to the Carmel Bach Festival and named the Virginia Best Adams Fellow for the second year, an honor not usually given for more than one season. She made her New York debut in the role of Commère (Four Saints in Three Acts) with the Mark Morris Dance Group. On the West coast, Ms Franks has appeared with such companies as Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Chorale; the Berkeley Symphony; Carmel Bach Festival; Bear Valley Music Festival; the San Luis Obispo Mozart Festival; the West Marin Music Festival; Rogue Opera (OR); Rimrock Opera (MT); West Bay Opera and Pocket Opera. As a Young Artist with Florida Grand Opera, she was heard as Bianca (The Rape of Lucretia), the Aunt (Madama Butterfly), and Mrs. Nolan (The Medium). Upcoming performances include the title role of Handel’s Rinaldo with Pocket Opera; Haydn’s Harmoniemesse in Sacramento, CA, and in Munich, Prague, Budapest and Vienna; a return to Sacramento Opera as Berta in Rossini’s Il barbiere di Siviglia; and the role of Sesto in Mozart’s La clemenza di Tito at the Carmel Bach Festival in 2005. An active performer on the concert stage, both in recital and oratorio work, Ms. Franks has also given recitals throughout the U.K. and the U.S.A. featuring the music of contemporary English, French and American composers. 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. A native of Long Island, New York, baritone Tim Krol performed and toured with Chanticleer, America’s premiere a cappella vocal ensemble, from 1991 to 2000. He can be heard on thirteen of that group’s recordings, including the Grammy Award-winning Colors of Love. Mr. Krol is a featured soloist on the world premiere recording (Dorian label) of Sir John Tavener’s Ikon of Eros, with the Minnesota Orchestra. He also sings the lead role of Jim on the critically acclaimed recording of David Conte’s chamber opera, The Gift of the Magi, on the Arsis label. Opera credits include The Ferryman in Benjamin Britten’s Curlew River; Harry or Larry in Elliot Carter’s What Next?; Jim Easton in David Conte’s The Dreamers; and Schaunard in Puccini’s La Bohème. Tim is delighted to once again be singing with The San Francisco Bach Choir. As a concert and oratorio soloist, he has performed throughout the United States, including many of Bach’s Cantatas, St. John Passion (Jesus); Handel’s Messiah, Judas Maccabeus, Aci, Galatea e Polifemo; Haydn’s Theresienne Messe, Paukenmesse, Creation; Vivaldi’s Magnificat; Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem, Five Mystical Songs; Mozart and Fauré Requiems, Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610, Samuel Barber’s Dover Beach, and the title role in Mendelssohn’s Elijah.

Musicians

Guest Artists for 2004-2005 Season