Artist Spotlights

For over 25 years, Shirley Verrett reigned as a leading diva of the international operatic stage. On the occasion of Black History Month, SFCV publishes major portions of the interview with Verrett, who died last year.  

Violinist Hilary Hahn catapulted into the international spotlight as a teenager, when the uncommon maturity of her debut recording shot it to the top of the charts. Now all grown up at 31, she returns to Herbst Theatre on Feb. 19.

If you’re looking for an inspiring Valentine’s Day gift, why not consider a ticket from Cal Performances? Pinchas Zukerman, one of today’s most inspiring and internationally recognized violinists is coming to Berkeley.

Music Director and Conductor Bruno Ferrandis talks with SFCV about the upcoming tour for the Santa Rosa Symphony in Vienna and the difference between the music in isolation in Europe and the intensity of the American symphony sphere.

The young violinist Ray Chen has made a global footprint that’s only getting larger, and he has the skills of a truly musical interpreter. In advance of his performance with S.F. Symphony for its Chinese New Year concert, he talks with SFCV.

Just as Pianist Simone Dinnerstein’s second all-Bach recording, Bach: A Strange Beauty, becomes available worldwide, Dinnerstein is setting out to explore new territory. She and singer-songwriter Tift Merritt will appear at Yoshi’s S.F. in an unusual musical collaboration titled "Night." SFCV caught up with Dinnerstein by phone.

Jean-Yves Thibaudet, one of the world’s foremost concert pianists, is celebrated for his sensitive and dazzling interpretations of his native French music, and other extensive repertoire. But his stage pizzazz sets him apart: He often dresses in couture outfits by Vivian Westwood, has model good-looks, plus a youthful spirit and enthusiasm that is contagious. He'll perform an an all-Liszt program with Cal Performances on Jan. 26.

Change has proven to be good for David Daniels, who switched to the highly unlikely vocal category of countertenor as a graduate student. Since, the award-winning singer has performed with opera companies around the world, and was the first countertenor to give a solo recital in the main auditorium of Carnegie Hall. He spoke to SFCV about his career and hobbies.

Classical guitarist Sharon Isbin recently won a 2010 Grammy Award for for her CD Journey to the New World and became the first guitarist in 43 years to receive two classical Grammies. Here, the director of the guitar departments at the Juilliard School and the Aspen Music Festival, hailed by Boston Magazine as “the pre-eminent guitarist of our time,” talks with SFCV.

Emanuel Ax is not just one of the finest classical music pianists of our (or any) time, he’s also a mensch — as gracious to talk to as he is inspiring to hear. The Polish-born, Canadian-raised virtuoso comes to the Bay Area Jan. 12 for a solo all-Schubert performance at Stanford’s Dinkelspiel Hall.