Joseph Frank Biography

Biography

Since his 1974 San Francisco Opera debut, tenor Joseph Frank has specialized in the lyric character tenor operatic repertoire. In a career spanning over 35 years, the tenor has garnered acclaim in over 80 roles. Metropolitan Opera and European debuts followed in 1979 and he currently appears regularly with other leading opera companies here and abroad including the opera companies of Los Angeles, Houston, Seattle, Washington, Orange County, San Diego, Santa Fe, London, and Paris. As a concert specialist, he has performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Buffalo Philharmonic, the symphonies of Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis and Atlanta under such luminaries as James Levine, Christoph Eschenbach, Julius Rudel, Eduardo Müller and Emil Tchakarov.

In April 2009, the tenor sang Horace Adams in the San Diego Opera production of Peter Grimes conducted by Steuart Bedford. 2008 engagements included the premiere of Ricky Ian Gordon's revised The Grapes of Wrath as Grampa Joad for the Pittsburgh Opera and Prince Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus for Austin Lyric Opera. For San Diego Opera, Frank performed in both Boris Godunov and a new production of Wozzeck by director Des McAnuff (Jersey Boys). Other noteworthy appearances include the Tanzmeister in famed film director William Friedkin's production of Ariadne auf Naxos and a new production of Tosca with Samuel Ramey and Salvatore Licitra both for the Los Angeles Opera; Turandot at the Hollywood Bowl; Los Angeles Opera's world premiere of Nicolas and Alexandra and Fanciulla del West both with Placido Domingo. Future engagements include Monsieur Triquet in Eugene Onegin for the Pittsburgh Opera, Emperor Altoum in the David Hockney production of Turandot for San Diego Opera and a new production of Salome.

Mr. Frank received a Bachelor of Music, Masters of Music the coveted Performers Certificate from Indiana University and an Opera Diploma from the Curtis Institute of Music. He joined the San Jose State School of Music Faculty in 1991 where he teaches applied voice, art song and is principal undergraduate music advisor.

2006 marked the 15th anniversary of his tenure with the School of Music and Dance at San Jose State University. That same year, he was the recipient of the Dean’s Faculty Recognition Award for Outstanding Artistic Achievement for the College of the Humanities and the Arts. Professor Frank regularly gives master classes in voice and opera and has been an adjudicator for numerous musical organizations throughout the country. His students have pursued their studies at prestigious graduate schools such as the Mannes College of Music, the Academy of Vocal Arts, and the Moores School of Music at the University of Houston. Graduates have gone on to be Resident Artists for the Orlando Opera, the Des Moines Metro Opera, the Caramoor International Music Festival and the Amherst Early Music Festival. Others have been the recipients of the Mario Lanza Competition, the Licia Albanese-Puccini Foundation and the Heinz Rehfuss Singing –Actor Competition.