Karen Clark’s rich mezzo-contralto is acclaimed world wide in repertory spanning medieval to 21st Century. Critics from The South China Post, the New York Times, and San Francisco Chronicle have described her as “a mezzo of more dramatic difference: graceful and impassioned,” “strong, pure, and passionate,” “striking with an astonishing range of expressive subtlety.” She has appeared on prestigious concert series programs throughout the U.S., Europe, and Asia in Utrecht, Köln, Royaumont, and Hong Kong with the outstanding chamber ensembles of Rifkin/Bach Ensemble, Ensemble Sequentia, Boston Camerata, and Waverly Consort. In oratorio, such as Handel’s Messiah, Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater, and Bach’s Mass in B minor, she has performed in New York’s Avery Fisher Hall, Town Hall, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, and the Pierpont Morgan Library. With Joshua Rifkin and the Bach Ensemble, Clark sang the entire Mass in B minor, in New York, Kansas City, and Bressanone, Italy.
In June 2008, Clark will be featured with Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Gary Snyder and the Galax Quartet in new works by Robert Morris (Eastman School of Music), Fred Frith (Mills College), W. A. Mathieu and Roy Whelden. The San Francisco series Concerts at Old First Church hosts this celebration of Synder’s 50-year publishing career.
In May 2008, Clark is soprano II and alto soloist with the Santa Rosa Symphony in Bach’s B minor Mass.
She is recorded on the New Albion, Erato, Deutsche Harmonia Mundi, Opera Omnia, Musical Heritage Society, and Focus labels. She holds degrees from the Indiana University School of Music and has taught in the music departments of Swarthmore College and Princeton University. Karen lives in Sonoma County and is adjunct faculty at Sonoma State University and University of Southern California.
