Frances Bigelow

Ensemble Soprano, Childhood Friend, Wendy

Frances Bigelow is a Seattle-based composer and coloratura soprano. She holds a dual Bachelor of Music degree from Portland State University, where she studied composition with Renée Favand-See and voice with Christine Meadows. Current and past projects include choral and art song settings of works by women poets, instrumental chamber music, text-based aleatory music, and chamber operas. Her work has been performed by groups including New York’s Choral Chameleon Ensemble and the Portland Symphonic Choir. Her opera roles include the First Lady and Queen of the Night in Die Zauberflöte with PSU Opera, as well as Susannah in scenes from Carlisle Floyd’s Susannah with Queer Opera. She has also been featured as a soloist in the Queer Opera Song Program. She has performed as a chorister with ensembles including PSU Rose and Thorn, Kirkland Choral Society, the St. James Cathedral Choir, and the Oregon Symphony. Her primary interest is in writing for voices, whether that be choral music, art song, or opera.