Soprano, as Widow and Angel II
Recently cited by the New York Times for her “especially lovely” singing, Elissa Johnston enjoys diving into repertoire ranging from Bach, Handel and Mozart to Messiaen, Carter and Unsuk Chin.
Elissa’s engagements for the 22/23 season include performances of Peter Sellars staged production of Heinrich Schütz’s Musikalische Exequien, conducted by Grant Gershon at Walt Disney Concert Hall and at the 2023 Salzburg Festival, Schumann’s Liederkreiss Opus 39 at Le Salon de la Musique in La Jolla Ca, performances of Bach’s Solo Cantata no. 202 with Street Symphony in Los Angeles, and the world premiere of James MacMillan’s Fiat Lux with Pacific Symphony, conducted by Carl St. Clair.
Last season Elissa appeared with the L.A. Philharmonic in Die Staat by Louis Andriessen, conducted by John Adams. She also appeared as soloist with the Los Angeles Master Chorale in Handel’s Dixit Dominus, with Jacaranda Music in Bach’s Easter Oratorio, and in chamber music performances with Pittance Chamber Music, Le Salon de Musiques, the Hear/Now Festival, and in the music of Bob Dylan with MUSE/IQUE.
In the 20/21 season Elissa performed in several live capture concerts, with Pacific Symphony under Carl St. Clair in Canteloube’s Chants d’Auvergne, with the Los Angeles Philharmonic under Gustavo Dudamel in John Adams’ Grand Pianola Music, and with Pittance Chamber Music, in chamber music of André Previn.
Highlights from the 19/20 season include singing arias by Handel and Scarlatti with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Handel’s Messiah with Pacific Symphony, and Bruckner’s Mass in F Minor with the Los Angeles Master Chorale.
Elissa made her Carnegie Hall debut in 2018 with the Pacific Symphony under Carl St. Clair, singing the role of Sarada Devi in Philip Glass’ The Passion of Ramakrishna, as part of Carnegie’s yearlong celebration of Philip Glass’ 80th birthday.
Other recent appearances have included the west coast premiere of Reena Esmail’s This Love Between Us, the world premiere of Michael Daugherty’s To the New World, Mahler’s 4th Symphony, Samuel Barber’s Knoxville, Summer of 1915, Messiaen’s epic song cycle Harawi with pianist Vicki Ray, David Lang’s The Little Match Girl Passion, Schoenberg’s String Quartet No. 2, Brahms Requiem, Poulenc’s Gloria, Stravinsky’s Les Noces, and world premieres of Chinary Ung’s SPIRAL XII and AURA.
Elissa is a member of the ensemble in Peter Sellars production of Di Lasso’s Lagrime di San Pietro with the Los Angeles Master Chorale under Grant Gershon, which has appeared in performances worldwide, including at the Salzburg Festival, the Ravinia Festival, Melbourne International Arts Festival and the Auckland Arts Festival.
