Second Sunday Recital Series

The 14th Season of the Second Sunday Basilica Recital Series opens with A Program of Spanish Song, presented by soprano, ESTHER RAYO, and pianist, PETER GRUNBERG.
Music of Obradors, Granados, Ginastera and others will be included.
Soprano Esther Rayo is most recognized for her passionate expression of Classical Spanish Repertoire, though her artistry spans Opera, Baroque, Oratorio, Sacred Music, and Art Song. A dedicated and versatile performer, she has been featured in performances with Circa1600, Sonoma Bach, and as a soloist with the Stanford Symphony Orchestra. Ms. Rayo made her Herbst Theatre debut representing Lieder Alive! at InterMusic SF’s Music Day and is celebrated for her collaborations with LaMusArt, supporting underserved Latino youth in East Los Angeles. Ms. Rayo earned her Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance from Sonoma State University, studying under David Burnakus and Ruth Ann Swenson, and her Master of Music in Vocal Performance from DePaul University, where she debuted the title role in Suor Angelica to critical acclaim. She made her European debut at Teatro della Fortuna in Fano, Italy, singing Puccini’s Tosca and Mimi in La Bohème. Esther has received numerous awards and scholarships, including honors from the Jarvis Conservatory, NATS Vocal Competitions (Redwood Empire, San Francisco Bay Area), East Bay Opera League, DePaul University Kleinman Competition, San Miguel Institute of Bel Canto, and Musica nelle Marche in Italy. Following the critical success of her debut album Estrellita — also with the masterful pianist Peter Grünberg, Ms. Rayo’s recent and upcoming engagements include the San Francisco International Piano Festival, a return to San Francisco Music Day representing Lieder Alive! at Herbst Theatre, her recital debut at Rossmoor, Walnut Creek, an appearance as featured soloist in Fanny Mendelssohn’s Hero und Leander with Sonoma County Philharmonic and a Christmas recital in Southern California. Upcoming in 2027 Esther will be performing Schubert, Granados, Turina and Puccini with Peter Grünberg for Lieder Alive!

The program will also be livestreamed on the Mission Dolores Basilica Facebook page.
The program is free and a suggested donation of $15 will be accepted in support of the Basilica Music Ministries
Sunday, 4 p.m. Mission Dolores Basilica, 16th and Dolores Sts., San Francisco.