The Bach Ensemble at St. Thomas is excited to announce its upcoming season-opening concert, featuring soloists Dwight Parry, oboe, and Christian Pursell, baritone.
The performance takes place Oct. 23 at 7:00 p.m. and presents repertoire by Vivaldi, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Bach and others. Tickets range from $30-$40. Student pricing is available.
“This concert brings two remarkable artists together in a varied program. The music ranges from the fiery baroque of Vivaldi, to the richness of Romantic German Lieder,” said Bach Ensemble Artistic Director Carlton Monroe. “Dwight and Christian’s collaboration was born out of COVID, when they created a virtual performance of the first movement of BWV 82. Now, they reunite to perform the complete work in person.”
Parry is principal oboist of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra as well as the Bach Ensemble St. Thomas. Pursell, who received his master of music degree from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, frequently performs solo roles with the Cincinnati Opera. Pursell is a dynamic, impassioned actor with unmatched stage presence, an enthralling, powerful voice, and a mastery of musical genres from baroque to musical theater.
“The concert has something for everyone: lush strings, virtuosic oboe, an arresting baritone and the grandeur of our Fritt’s organ,” said Monroe. “There may be no more beautiful, intimate space in Cincinnati to experience talented musicians performing the greatest music ever conceived.”
Oct. 23, 7 p.m.
St. Thomas Episcopal Church
100 Miami Ave.
Terrace Park
Repertoire…
VIVALDI – Concerto for Oboe in A Minor, RV 461
LEONARDA – Sonata, Op. 16 No. 12
MENDELSSOHN – “Die Mainacht”
SCHUMANN, Clara – “Der Mond Kommt Still Gegangen”
SCHUMANN, Robert – “Meine Rose”
HOWELLS – “By the waters of Babylon”
BACH – “Ich habe genug” Cantata BWV 82
Christian Pursell is a dynamic, impassioned actor with unmatched stage presence, an enthralling, powerful voice, and a mastery of musical genres from baroque to musical theater, including bel canto and romantic opera.
His 2024-25 season began with his Metropolitan Opera house debut as Sciarrone in Puccini’s “Tosca” in September, alongside covering Hermann/Schlemil in “Tales of Hoffmann” by Jacques Offenbach. In November, he returns to the Seattle Symphony to solo in Fauré’s Requiem, sings the title role in Mendelssohn’s “Elijah” with San Jose Symphonic Choir, then visits Portland Baroque Orchestra as a soloist in Handel’s “Messiah.” In May, Pursell debuts the role of Tom in the world premiere of Ricky Ian Gordon’s opera, “This House,” at Opera Theatre St. Louis.
A graduate of the prestigious Adler Fellowship at San Francisco Opera, Pursell’s many role credits with the company included Lieutenant Ratcliffe in Britten’s “Billy Budd,” and Walter Raleigh in Donizetti’s “Roberto Devereux.” He also sang a critically acclaimed performance of Dandini in Rossini’s “La Cenerentola” with Merola Opera Program.
Pursell is a graduate of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and received his master of music degree from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. He raises his young son in the Fingerlakes region of New York.
Dwight Parry is principal oboist of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and newly appointed assistant professor of oboe at Bowling Green State University. He is also adjunct professor of oboe and chamber music at CCM. He is a versatile soloist, an avid chamber musician and an active advocate for new music, performing and teaching around the world. Parry’s background in jazz has led him to pursue a career that spans from concert halls to the streets of New Orleans, where he has sat in and improvised with Dixie bands.
Parry was formerly principal oboist of the San Diego Symphony and a fellow with the New World Symphony. He has appeared as guest principal oboist with the New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, Chicago Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Guangzhou Symphony, Deutsche Symphonie of Berlin and Korean Broadcasting Symphony.
Originally from coastal Southern California, he found his passion for music early on through piano, voice, and saxophone. In high school, Parry took up the oboe and decided to make a life in music. He went on to study at the Cleveland Institute of Music with John Mack and at the University of Southern California with Allan Vogel and David Weiss, a gentleman who also taught him to surf!
During the summer, he is on faculty at the Pacific Music Festival, the Interlochen Academy for the Arts and the Stellenbosch International Music Festival in South Africa.
Parry is a Lorée artist.
About the Bach Ensemble St. Thomas
The Bach Ensemble at St. Thomas enriches and inspires the musical life of the Cincinnati area through the performance of the music of J. S. Bach, his contemporaries, and musical heirs.
BEST serves as ensemble-in-residence at St. Thomas Episcopal Church where it leads monthly Bach Vespers, performing the cantatas of J. S. Bach in the context for which they are written. The ensemble’s musicians are some of the finest in the region, including many from the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.
BEST is committed to historically informed performances of Bach’s music and artistic collaborations with other musical ensembles, all under the artistic direction of its founder, Carlton Monroe.
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