Elissa Johnston

Soprano

Elissa Johnston
Recently cited by the New York Times for her “especially lovely” singing, Elissa Johnston enjoys performing repertoire ranging from Bach, Handel and Mozart to Messiaen, Carter, Unsuk Chin and Lachenmann. In April Elissa made her Carnegie Hall debut with Pacific Symphony under Carl St. Clair, singing the soprano 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 include Handel’s Israel in Egypt and Stravinsky’s Les Noces with the Los Angeles Master Chorale, Dvorak’s Ciganske melodie at Le Salon de musiques, and performances of SPIRAL XII and AURA, both by Chinary Ung in San Diego and Syracuse. Elissa has appeared as guest soloist with the Pacific Chorale under conductor John Alexander in Brahms’ Requiem and Poulenc’s Gloria, with the Long Beach Symphony under conductor Gemma New in Mahler’s 4th Symphony and Samuel Barber’s Knoxville, Summer of 1915,   and with Quator Diotima at Jacaranda Music, singing Schoenberg’s String Quartet No. 2. Highlights of the coming season include Haydn’s Creation with Pacific Chorale and Symphony under Robert Istad and performances of the touring Peter Sellars production of Lagrime di San Pietro with Los Angeles Master Chorale.