Mezzo-soprano Erin Neff’s dynamic performance abilities and radiant sound have earned her the veneration of her musical peers and made her an audience favorite. Equally at home in the operatic, lied and oratorio repertoires, Ms. Neff is much sought after in the vocal profession.
Ms Neff was most recently heard in West Edge Opera’s 2021 Snapshot series. During the pandemic she frequented the tunnels of Golden Gate Park giving free concerts in the subterranean echo chambers! She Sang the role of Ruth in Howard’s End with Earplay in San Francisco, The role of Ms. Mclean in Susanna with Festival Opera, the Confidante in The 2017 San Francisco Opera production of Elektra and The page in Rigoletto the the SF Opera’s 2016 season. In addition she sang Marianna in Rossini’s one act farce Il Signor Bruschino, the Empress Ottavia in West Edge Opera’s production of Coronation of Poppea. and a solo Concert at Stanford University as part of their Shenson Recital Series. She made her solo debut with the San Francisco Opera as Blanche in their 2000 production of Louise and since then has returned to make several appearances with the company, including productions of Rigoletto, The Bonesetter’s Daughter, Simon Boccanegra and The Marriage of Figaro. She has also sung with Berkeley Opera, Santa Rosa Symphony, San Francisco Ballet, West Edge Opera, Opera Parallele, Livermore Valley Opera, Earplay, symphony of the Redwoods, The Mendocino music Festival, Composer’s Inc, North Bay Opera, San Francisco Lyric Opera, Festival Opera, Sacramento Opera and Pacific Orchestra.
Ms. Neff is a frequent recitalist and featured guest artist at the Mendocino Music Festival, the Jewish Music Festival and the Telluride Chamber Music Festival. She was invited to the Gilmore International Keyboard Festival singing the Alto solo in Rossini’s Petite Messe Solonelle and a concert of all Janáček music. She has also been heard at the San Francisco Symphony singing the Alto Solo in Beethoven’s Choral Fantasia.
Ever a fan of 20th century music and living composers she seeks out opportunities to present these works.
She has presented the songs of composer Chris Praetorius in the world Premiere of his song cycle “SONGS OF MATHILDE” ; Songs by Jack Perla, the World Premiere of Allen Shearer’s Operas ” The Dawn Makers” and sang the role of Myrtle Wilson in the west coast premiere of John Harbinson’s ‘The Great Gatsby’.
As a director, she has worked for the San Francisco Opera Center, the Mendocino Music Festival, Island City Opera, Telluride Chamber Music Festival, and Opera Parallele. Her direction of the world premiere of SF based acclaimed Jazz Bassist, Marcus Shelby ‘s Harriet’s Spirit was met with great critical acclaim.
Ms. Neff also works collaboratively with multimedia artists developing installations for museums. She has worked with Artists Mike Arcega, and Lewis de Soto. Her work has been seen at the SJICA, Oakland Museum, Stanford Gallery, and Culver Center for the Arts. Her piece with De Soto entitled “Tahquitz” was featured in the Smithsonian Magazine, Indian as well as California Report on NPR. Her current installation in at Joshua Tree National park thru 2020.
Ms. Neff was on staff at UCSF for ten years teaching voice and now runs her own private voice studio. She has held Master classes at Stanford, SFSU, and Mendocino Music Festival.