Francisca Näf (Mezzo-soprano)

Born: 1972 - Arlesheim, Switzerland

The Swiss mezzo-soprano, Francisca Näf, grew up in Arlesheim and Winterthur. She studied singing with Jane Jane Thorner-Mengedoht at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Zürich and choral conducting with Kantor Beat Schäfer. She also studied in Neuchâtel and Basel. She continued her studies in the Netherlands at the Koninklijk Conservatorium Den Haag: singing with Manon Heijne and Maria Acda, choral conducting with Jos van Veldhoven.

Already during her studies Francisca Näf became deeply involved with contemporary vocal music and has since participated in numerous world premieres. She has participated in performances of various works in different occupation - solo pieces, chamber music and choral works both as a solo artist.In 2007, the foundation of professional Ensembles SoloVoices, specializes in contemporary music for vocal ensemble, with some partly scenic projects already took place. She is winner of of the Concours Nicati 06 (public competition interpretation for contemporary music).

Her interest in early music led Francisca Näf finally to Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, where she studied with Anthony Rooley the course AVES (Advanced Vocal Ensemble Studies) and graduated with Master of Music degree.

Francisca Näf has worked with Pascal Dusapin, Harrison Birtwistle, Dieter Schnebel, Chaya Czernowin, Henry Pousseur, Jürg Henneberger, Goffroy Jourdain, among others, and particpated in master-classes with Gisela May, Johann Sonnleitner, Joachim Held, Jill Feldman and Michael Chance and Lieder classes with Daniel Fueter and Hans Adolfsen.

In addition to participating (singer and administrative management) in Ensemble SoloVoices, Francisca Näf has worked as a singer in various ensembles. She participates regularly in the projects of two professional choirs: Basler Madrigalisten and Schweizer Kammerchor. Since 2011, she is also a member of Chor der J.S. Bach-Stiftung St. Gallen (Director: Rudolf Lutz).

Francisca Näf teaches singing at Allgemeinen Musikschule Muttenz. Since August 2005, together with Bernhard Bichler she directs the children's choir of St. Galler Singschule and responsible for individual vocal training

Sources:
Solo Voices Ensemble Basel Website & operton - menschen Website (2007), English translation by Aryeh Oron (June 2014)
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (June 2014)

Recordings of Bach Cantatas & Other Vocal Works

Conductor

As

Works

Rudolf Lutz

Alto

Member of Chor der J.S. Bach-Stiftung St. Gallen:
DVD/CD: BWV 20, BWV 30, BWV 34, BWV 46 [2016], BWV 47, BWV 61, BWV 80 [2016], BWV 91 [2016], BWV 94, BWV 97, BWV 107, BWV 110, BWV 116, BWV 119, BWV 127 [2017], BWV 137, BWV 144, BWV 146, BWV 147, BWV 176, BWV 187 [2017]
DVD/CD (2007): BWV 33
DVD/CD (2018): BWV 248/4, BWV 227, BWV 21
DVD/CD (2019): BWV 126, BWV 2, BWV 248/3
BSSG [D11-8] (2017, DVD/Video)/Bachkantaten N°26 (CD): BWV 25
BSSG [D14-2] (2020, Video): BWV 72
BSSG [D15-1] (2021, Video/CD): BWV 65
BSSG [D15-2] (2021, Video): BWV 3
BSSG [D15-5] (2021, Video): BWV 37
BSSG [D15-8] (2021, Video): BWV 77
BSSG [D16-1] (2022, Video): BWV 14
BSSG [D16-2] (2022, Video): BWV 39
BSSG [D16-3] (2022, Video): BWV 31
BSSG [D16-4] (2022, Video): BWV 41
BSSG [D16-5] (2022, Video): BWV 11
BSSG [D16-12] (2022, Video): BWV 117
BSSG [D16-14] (2022, Video): BWV 28
BSSG [D17-1] (2023, Video): BWV 153
BSSG [D17-4] (2023, Video): BWV 134
BSSG [D17-8] (2023, Video): BWV 233
BSSG [D17-9] (2023, Video): BWV 234
BSSG [D17-13] (2023, Video): BWV 62
[V-2] (2016): BWV 232

Links to other Sites

Solo Voices Ensemble Basel: Porträt [German]
operton - menschen: Ensemble [German]