Biography

Soprano Ruth Ziesak studied with Elsa Cavelti at the University for Music and Performing Arts in Frankfurt. Numerous successes in competitions, including the first prize at the German Music Competition and at the International Vocal Competition 's-Hertogenbosch soon paved her way for an international career. Ms. Ziesak is currently professor of singing at the Saar School for Music. She made her San Francisco Symphony debut in 1992 in Mahler’s Second Symphony, conducted by Herbert Blomstedt.

Ms. Ziesak’s 2014-15 engagements include Poulenc’s Stabat Mater with Orquesta Sinfonica RTVE in Madrid and with the Orquesta di Valencia, Haydn’s Creation with the Czech Philharmonic, Beethoven’s Missa solemnis at the Lucerne Festival under András Schiff, concerts with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, and Brahms’s A German Requiem with the Bamberg Symphony under Herbert Blomstedt. Other appearances include a tour with trumpeter Reinhold Friedrich and the Philharmonie Reutlingen and performances with the Auryn Quartet and pianist Gerold Huber in Bilbao. 

In addition to concert and opera recordings for the Decca, Teldec, and BMG labels, Ms. Ziesak’s solo recordings include operatic arias by Mozart with the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin (Capriccio) and lieder by Mahler (BMG), as well as recital discs with pianists Ulrich Eisenlohr and Gerold Huber. Ms. Ziesak’s recent recordings include Mendelssohn’s Elijah and Lobgesang with the MDR Symphony and Jun Märkl on Naxos. She recorded Mahler’s Second Symphony with the San Francisco Symphony and Herbert Blomstedt for Decca.

(February 2015)