Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Orchestral

 

 

Symphony

 

The San Francisco Symphony Chorus is a world-renowned classical music ensemble that has been captivating audiences for over 40 years. Founded in 1972 by Margaret Hillis, the chorus has become an integral part of the San Francisco Symphony, performing alongside the orchestra in some of the most iconic classical music pieces of all time. Margaret Hillis was a renowned choral conductor who had previously founded the Chicago Symphony Chorus. She was invited to San Francisco by then-music director Seiji Ozawa to create a chorus that would perform with the San Francisco Symphony. Hillis accepted the invitation and began recruiting singers from the Bay Area. The San Francisco Symphony Chorus is made up of approximately 150 volunteer singers who come from all walks of life. The chorus is known for its high level of musicianship and its ability to perform a wide range of classical music styles, from Baroque to contemporary. One of the highlights of the San Francisco Symphony Chorus' early years was its performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony in 1979. The performance was conducted by Leonard Bernstein and was part of a celebration of the 200th anniversary of Beethoven's birth. The performance was a huge success and helped to establish the chorus as one of the premier choral ensembles in the world. Over the years, the San Francisco Symphony Chorus has performed with some of the most renowned conductors and orchestras in the world. In addition to Leonard Bernstein and Seiji Ozawa, the chorus has worked with conductors such as Michael Tilson Thomas, Herbert Blomstedt, and James Conlon. The chorus has also performed with orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. One of the most memorable performances by the San Francisco Symphony Chorus was its 1993 performance of Verdi's Requiem. The performance was conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas and featured soloists such as soprano Jessye Norman and tenor Plácido Domingo. The performance was recorded and released on CD, and it won a Grammy Award for Best Classical Album in 1995. In addition to its performances with the San Francisco Symphony, the chorus has also performed on its own. In 1982, the chorus performed a concert of a cappella music at Carnegie Hall in New York City. The concert was a huge success and helped to establish the chorus as a premier choral ensemble in its own right. The San Francisco Symphony Chorus has also been recognized for its contributions to the world of classical music. In 1983, the chorus was awarded the prestigious Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence by Chorus America. The award is given annually to a choral ensemble that has made significant contributions to the choral art. In 2018, the San Francisco Symphony Chorus celebrated its 45th anniversary with a performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. The performance was conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas and featured soloists such as soprano Susanna Phillips and tenor Michael Fabiano. The performance was a fitting tribute to the chorus' long and illustrious history. Today, the San Francisco Symphony Chorus continues to be an integral part of the San Francisco Symphony. The chorus performs in a wide range of classical music styles and is known for its high level of musicianship and its ability to work with some of the most renowned conductors and orchestras in the world.

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