Matthew Worth, Rhoslyn Jones, Frederica Von Stade & Marnie Breckenridge Join Faculty At San Francisco Conservatory Of Music

By Nicole Kuchta

Four singers have recently joined the voice faculty at San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM).

Baritone Matthew Worth has been appointed to SFCM’s voice faculty, and is set to lead a full studio. According to the press release, both SFCM President David H. Stull and Voice Department Chair César Ulloa are thrilled to welcome Worth to the team. “His artistic work is inspiring, but he is perhaps the most sophisticated and capable voice teacher of his generation,” says Stull. Ulloa concurs: “His devotion and knowledge to the vocal arts and to teaching comes through clearly when he works with young singers. He is generous and articulate—a true teaching artist!”

This season, Worth will perform the role of the Narrator in “The Passion of the Yeshua” at the Royce Hall in Los Angeles and with the Buffalo Philharmonic. He created the role during the opera’s world premiere last season with the Oregon Bach Festival, to great acclaim. He also appeared as Figaro in Rosetta Cucchi’s production of “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” at the Boston Lyric Opera this season. Additional highlights include the title role in the world premiere of “JFK” with Fort Worth Opera, the world premiere of “The Manchurian Candidate” with Minnesota Opera, and “Moby Dick” at Washington National Opera. He appears frequently in recitals and as a concert soloist.

Worth noted on his appointment, “The level of artistry and excellence displayed by the students and faculty alike is unparalleled and I am honored to be a part of SFCM’s vision.”

Soprano Rhoslyn Jones will also be joining the voice department. She has performed at San Francisco Opera, and “has maintained strong Bay Area connections through the Bay Area Vocal Program, an organization which she co-founded, and having been a participant in the Merola Opera Program and an Adler Fellow.” SFCM Dean and Chief Academic Officer Jonas Wright is confident that Jones’ “impressive performance career, combined with the outstanding successes her private studio students have achieved will continue to build the vocal performance degree here at SFCM into a powerhouse.”

A few of Jones’ career highlights include the title role of Puccini’s “Tosca” at San Francisco Opera, Musetta in Puccini’s “La Boheme” with Arizona Opera and Pittsburgh Opera, and the Countess in Mozart’s “Le Nozze di Figaro” with Vacouver Opera and Opera Santa Barbara. She has served on the faculty of the University of British Columbia and of Sonoma State University, and her students have been accepted into top-notch institutions and have won major competitions.

Jones is excited to get to work at SFCM and noted, “My teachers and mentors trained my voice and nurtured my ambition, enabling me to stand on the greatest opera stages and sing, gratefully and joyfully. I know that SFCM is the best place I, in turn, can help nurture and realize artists’ goals.”

Mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade and soprano Marnie Breckenridge have also recently joined the voice faculty at SFCM. Von Stade is “a longtime friend of the Conservatory and honorary doctorate recipient,” and will “take on coaching responsibilities within SFCM’s voice department.” Breckenridge, “an alumna, will lead a private studio.” Stull warmly welcomed the two singers to the voice department: “Flicka and Marnie are valued colleagues and friends who have been associated with the Conservatory for many years. We are ecstatic to welcome them officially to our faculty and I know they will both serve as outstanding models, teachers, mentors, and advocates for our students.”

Von Stade has appeared on several PBS specials and “Live from Lincoln Center” telecasts, and has made over sixty recordings with every major label. She was “awarded France’s highest honor in the arts when she was appointed as an officer of L’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, and in 1983, she was honored with an award given at the White House by President Reagan in recognition of her significant contribution to the arts.” Breckenridge is widely recognized for her “passionate interpretations of roles in standard repertoire and contemporary works.” She has performed at English National Opera, LA Opera, Forth Worth Opera, San Francisco Opera, Prototype Festival, Glyndebourne Festival, Bard Music Festival, and so on. In 2013 she received SFMC’s “Alumni of the Year” award.

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