Biography
Contralto
Elizabeth Anker's wide repertoire spans from medieval chant to contemporary
pieces written for her unique voice. She has performed with the San Francisco
Symphony Orchestra (the premiere of John Adams's Grand Pianola Music),
Philharmonia Baroque (Messiah), Boston's Handel and Haydn Society
(Messiah, Vivaldi's Gloria), Boston Bach Ensemble (Bach's
Christmas Oratorio and chamber music), Boston Cecilia (Bach programs),
Back Bay Chorale, Emmanuel Music, and at Bach festivals in San Francisco
and France. She has toured with Sequentia of Köln and the Boston
Camerata. In the field of Baroque opera, she sang the title role in the
modern revival of Cesti's Semiramide and the role of Galatea
in Handel's Aci, Galatea e Polifemo.
"She has the poise of a tragedienne but the glitter of a coloratura."
- Sentinel USA
Elizabeth regularly sings recitals and chamber music, and has performed at Boston's Gardner Museum, San Francisco's Old First Church, and at many other concert series. Among the composers who have written pieces for her are Julian Wachner, Eric Sawyer, Douglas Johnson, Tamar Diesendruck, and Mark Winges. As a chamber music soloist, she has performed at the International Congress on Women in Music, Tanglewood Music Festival, and festivals in France and Mexico. She has recorded Bach's Christmas Oratorio on Titanic, Julian Wachner's Concerning Passion, and several discs of American and Shaker hymns with the Boston Camerata on Erato.
Ms. Anker studied in the U.S. and Europe, and her teachers include Jessica Cash, Edward Zambara and Robert Honeysucker. She has also taken master classes with Max van Egmond, Judith Nelson, Ian Partridge, Rene Jacobs and William Parker. She is on the voice faculty of the New England Conservatory of Music, Extension Division, and the Longy School of Music.
Ms. Anker's voice, rich and resonant... unlimited reserve of depth and strength in all registers, particularly her lowest."- Marin Independent Journal
Short Biography
Contralto Elizabeth Anker's wide repertoire spans the medieval work of Hildegard von Bingen to the premiere of John Adam's Grand Pianola Music with the San Francisco Symphony. Her oratorio credits include the Handel and Haydn Society, Boston Bach Ensemble, Boston Cecilia, Philharmonia Baroque, and Bach Festivals in San Francisco and France. She has performed solo and chamber music recitals in the U.S. and Europe and has premiered many works written for her deep contralto. Ms. Anker has toured with Sequentia of Cologne and the Boston Camerata. She has recorded American music on Erato and Bach's Christmas Oratorio on Titanic.