Russell Franks
Russell Franks has sung all over the United States and in parts of Europe including England, France, and Switzerland. He has performed to critical acclaim not only for his portrayals on the operatic stage but also for his interpretations of oratorio and song on the concert stage.
His repertoire includes over 40 operatic roles and over 20 oratorios as soloist in hundreds of performances. He is currently on the faculties of Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida and Stetson University in Deland, Florida. Mr. Franks holds degrees from Stetson University and University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. His career includes highlights such as performing the bass solo in Igor Stravinsky's Les Noces with Stravinsky's protégé and friend Robert Craft, appearing with Sarah Brightman in concert and performing the bass solo of J. S. Bach's Cantata No. 22 with world renowned Bach scholar Christoph Wolf. He has performed side-by-side with luminaries in the operatic field such as Diana Soviero, Justino Diaz, Carol Neblett, Josephine Barstow, Simon Estes, Bliss Hebert, James Lucas, and Bernard Uzan, to name a few.
He has sung roles with many opera companies including Riuniti Opera, Pensacola Opera, Florida Grand Opera, Florida Festival Arts, Florida Lyric Opera Company, Opera Theater of Pittsburgh, Treasure Coast Opera, Seaside Music Theater, and many more. Among his other abilities, he is also a skilled director and has directed several musical theater pieces. He has appeared as soloist with many orchestral, concert, and choral organizations such as the Bach Festival of Winter Park, the Bach Society of Greater Miami, Verbier Music Festival, Handel Choral Society of Orlando, Vero Beach Choral Society, Delray Beach Choral, American Festival Orchestra, Florida International University Music Festival, Miami Chamber Symphony, Soli Virtuosi Sinfonia of Florida, Florida Philharmonic, Artsbridge of Ohio, Gateway to Music of Southwestern Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh Baroque Ensemble, Daytona Beach Symphony Society, Pittsburgh Symphony, Florida Orchestra, Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh, Choral Society of Cincinnati, and the Miami Symphony Orchestra.