Have you ever entered a concert feeling weary, down at heart, or discouraged, and then heard a single voice so glorious that your spirit was uplifted? The extraordinary soloists featured with the Chorale’s Why the World Loves Bach concerts bring their magic to Bach’s cantatas, uplifting hearts and minds. Meet them here:
Soprano Jennifer Paulino performed with the Santa Cruz Chorale most recently in our 2024 Brahms German Requiem concerts. She often appears with the California Bach Society, San Francisco Choral Society, and the Carmel Bach Festival, as well as at music festivals in Australia, Poland, and Denmark. Reviewers have consistently praised her artistry; a San Diego reviewer found it “impossible to resist the bright gleam and supple phrasing of soprano Jennifer Paulino’s aria…” Her voice was described as “graceful yet powerful” and “sensitive and clear” by San Francisco Classical Voice.
Jennifer specializes in 17th and 18th century repertoire and appears with period ensembles and orchestras nationally. She recently recorded that pinnacle of the Baroque repertoire, Bach’s B Minor Mass, with Philharmonie Austin. In addition to baroque and classical period repertoire, Jennifer is also at home performing contemporary works. She is passionate about collaborating with living composers and has premiered works by several.
When Jennifer’s not performing, she’s teaching voice, caring for her young son, and composing and arranging with her husband, an indie singer-songwriter.
Celeste Winant, mezzo-soprano, performs regularly with San Francisco Bay Area groups such as American Bach Soloists, Gaude, Philharmonia Chorale, Vajra Voices, and Volti. This is her first appearance with the Santa Cruz Chorale. Her voice has been described by San Francisco Classical Voice as “attractive”, “a true, rich alto.”
This versatile singer is equally at home with Baroque, classical, and contemporary music. Celeste’s solo engagements include oratorio appearances with the Berkeley Women’s Chorus, Chora Nova, the UC Berkeley Chamber Chorus, the Grace Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys, the Stanford Summer Choir, and the Stanford University Singers. A champion of 20th and 21st century art music, performance highlights include the out-of-this-world contralto solos with Volti from Ruth Crawford Seeger’s Three Chants at the 2018 Bard West Festival. and anchoring the women in the vocal octet for a rare performance of Luciano Berio’s Sinfonia with the UC Davis Symphony Orchestra.
In addition to her singing, Celeste received her Ph.D. in physics in 2003 and presently is a researcher at UC Berkeley.
Tenor David Kurtenbach Rivera, described as having a voice “lined with silver” (Classical Voice), enjoys an active ensemble and solo career, specializing in early music. He has appeared as featured soloist with Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Chorale, Bach Collegium San Diego, American Bach Soloists, Conspirare, Bach-Akademie Charlotte, Oregon Bach Festival, Apollo’s Fire, and many others. He is privileged to share several GRAMMY nominations for Best Choral Performance with the musicians of Conspirare.
David previously spent ten years as an opera conductor, including five seasons as Chorus Master of Opera San Jose and a summer at the Tanglewood Music Center. He works as clinician, guest conductor, and coach for ensembles around the country.
As a reconnecting Indigenous Puerto Rican (Taíno), David is committed to decolonization in his life and work. He is deeply grateful to the Ramaytush, Muwekma Ohlone, and Me-Wuk Peoples for allowing his continued presence on their land.
Baritone Daniel Cilli returns to the Chorale after being featured in our 2024 German Requiem concerts. He Has performed leading roles with the San Jose Opera, San Francisco Opera, and the Baltimore Symphony with Marin Alsop, among many other opera companies. His varied roles include Papageno in Die Zauberflöte (Baltimore Symphony), Dandini in La Cenerentola, the title role in Don Giovanni, Lescaut in Manon Lescaut, Marullo in Rigoletto, and new works with Earplay Ensemble and SF Contemporary Music Players. He has even made special appearances with the wrestlers from Oakland’s Hoodslam!
Daniel has performed in concert with the Utah Symphony, Louisiana Philharmonic, University of Missouri Orchestra and Chorus, San Juan Symphony, Aspen Music Festival, and Tanglewood Music Festival. Opera News has commended Daniel Cilli’s ” vocal authority, attractive tone and strong stage presence.”
These superb soloists join the Santa Cruz Chorale and the Monterey Bay Sinfonietta for Why the World Loves Bach, music to uplift the spirit.