Andrew Kapsar, baritone
Andrew Kapsar, baritone, is an active performer based in the Atlanta area. He holds a Master of Music from Georgia State University and a Bachelor of Music from Florida State University. His teachers have included Jeffrey Springer, Kathryn Hartgrove, and Grammy award winning mezzo-soprano Michelle DeYoung.
While at FSU, Andrew portrayed the leading roles of the Father in Hansel & Gretel, David in A Hand of Bridge, and Reginald Bunthorne in Patience. He also performed in the chorus of classic operas such as Die Zauberflöte, Der Vampyr, and Béatrice et Bénédict, as well as newer works such as Carlisle Floyd’s Of Mice and Men. The summer between his undergraduate and graduate studies brought him to Urbania, Italy with the Festival of International Opera singing the role of Count Almaviva in Le nozze di Figaro. Roles he has performed on the GSU stage include Silvio in I Pagliacci, Maestro Spinelloccio in Gianni Schicchi, Escamillo in Carmen, Elder McLean in Susannah, Count Formaggio in La Pizza con Funghi, and Frank in Die Fledermaus.
Andrew has also seen success on the competition stage, as he has been awarded 1st place in the FFMC collegiate voice competition, 1st place in the SERNATS competition, and 1st place in the Charleston International Music competition.
Andrew performed in the chorus of Tosca with the traveling company Teatro Lirico d’Europa, and he is a regular performer with the Atlanta Opera where he has recently been heard in their timeless productions of Die Zauberflöte, Semele, and La Bohème, in which he sang the role of the Customs Sergeant.
Andrew’s most recent engagement was with La Fondazione Pergolesi-Spontini based in Lesi, Italy where he sang the leading male role of Bastiano in Giovanni Paisiello’s rarely performed opera Le gare generose.
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David Troy Francis, piano
Two time Pulitzer Prize winning composer Ned Rorem says of Mr. Francis: He plays the right note with the right tone at the right time. (what more can you ask of any performer?) And with this, he adds that indefinable element of himself, which is the magic of all true interpreters.
Mr. Francis has enjoyed a 50+ year career of musical excellence and performs in recital throughout America and Europe. He has ten cds available including the world premiere recording of Mr. Rorem's Eight Etudes for Piano on the cd entitled The Americans. The Los Angeles Times raves of Mr. Francis’ playing: consistently absorbing whether in lyrical repose or propulsive fury. Two of his best selling CDs include his unique and compelling arrangements of American Hymns.
Mr. Francis is the recording pianist for such films as Pursuit of Happyness, Elegy and Fame. He has composed music for film and television.
Mr. Francis is the creator, composer, musical director and executive producer of the runaway smash hit musical BARK! - the 3rd longest running production in Los Angeles theatrical history. The wildly successful show has been mounted in theatres from Florida to Alaska and internationally in Brazil and Scotland. BARK! has been selected critics’ choice by the Los Angeles Times and The Chicago Tribune.
David Troy Francis was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and is best known for his steadfast championing and performance of contemporary American music. Now living in Roswell, Georgia, he is an esteemed concert pianist and recording artist as well as a respected composer, arranger and accompanist.
