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The American soprano, Ruth Escher, was graduated magna cum laude from the University of the Pacific Conservatory of Music, and continued her studies in London with renowned teacher Vera Rozsa at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.
Ruth Escher performed in numerous recitals and oratorios while in England and France, including Messiah with the London Chamber Orchestra. Critics have praised her "exquisite singing" and described her "sweet, soaring voice" as "strikingly beautiful" with "stunning purity of tone". She is especially known for her expressive interpretations of the music of J.S. Bach, and recently sang the soprano arias in the St. John Passion (BWV 245) with the New York State Baroque Orchestra. A founding member of the American Bach Choir, she has appeared twice as a SummerFest soloist. She has also appeared with the Albany Consort, Baroque Choral Guild, California Bach Society, Chanticleer, Composers Inc., Early Music Vancouver, El Mundo, Kronos Quartet, Magnificat, Music Before 1800, Oakland East Bay Symphony, Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, Sex Chordae Consort of Viols, Theatre of Voices and the Whole Noyse. She is San Francisco Symphony Chorus member since: 1980-1984, 2011-present
Recent concerts of note include Steve Reich's Desert Music with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas, a recital of the Seven Early Songs by Alban Berg, and performances of George Frideric Handel's Nine German Arias with violinist David Wilson and cellist Elisabeth Reed. In December 2007, Ruth Escher was a soloist in the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra's Christmas concerts, and in February 2008 she appeared with Sonoma Baroque in a concert featuring J.S. Bach's cantata for soprano and flute, Ich habe genug (BWV 82).
Ruth Escher can be heard on recordings by Koch International Classics, Harmonia Mundi USA and Musica Omnia, including Magnificat's recording of music by Chiara Margharita Cozzolani which was named "one of the best CDs of the year" by Gramophone Magazine. |
