Elspeth Franks

British-born Elspeth Franks is one of the West Coast's busiest young singers. With an unusually wide range, she performs many roles throughout the mezzo, alto and soprano repertoires.

Ms. Franks made a triumphant debut as Soprano Soloist at the 2005 Carmel Bach Festival, in two virtuoso works by Beethoven: his "Trauer-Kantate" and the Ninth Symphony.

This season Ms. Franks appeared with the SF Bach Choir as alto soloist in Bach's "Mass in b minor," and made debuts with the Fresno Philharmonic (Mozart's "Coronation Mass"), and the Santa Rosa Choral Society and Orchestra (Beethoven's "Ninth Symphony", mezzo soloist). She made her New York debut in the role of Commere (Four Saints in Three Acts) with the Mark Morris Dance Group, a role that she will reprise with them this September in Berkeley, CA. Other performances in 2005 include the roles of Suzuki in "Madama Butterfly" with San Francisco Lyric Opera and Berta in "Il barbiere di Siviglia" with Sacramento Opera; Erato in Gluck's "Il Parnaso Confuso" with City Concert Opera and guest soloist in a Bach celebration with the Santa Rosa Symphony. 2006 will include Hnsel with Eugene Opera; Mozart's "Mass in C minor" with Cantabile Choral Guild.

Other recent highlights include her 2004 debut with Sacramento Opera, in the role of Stefano in their production of Romeo and Juliet, the alto arias in the St. Matthew Passion for the San Francisco Bach Choir, and Haydn's "Harmoniemesse" in Prague, Budapest, Vienna and Munich.

In 2003, she made her debut with Virginia Opera in their production of Die Fledermaus in the role of Prince Orlofsky. That year she also was invited to return to the Carmel Bach Festival and named a Virginia Best Adams Fellow for the second year, an honor not usually given for more than one season.

Ms. Franks has appeared with such companies as Bear Valley Music Festival; the San Luis Obispo Mozart Festival; the West Marin Music Festival; Rogue Opera (OR); Rimrock Opera (MT); West Bay Opera, Pocket Opera, Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Chorale and the Berkeley Symphony. 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). An active performer on the concert stage, both in recital and oratorio work, Ms. Franks has given recitals throughout the U.K. and the US, featuring the music of contemporary English, French and American composers.