Press Release
December 9, 2009
Masterpiece Messiah – A Last Minute Surprise
World-renowned Countertenor Brian Asawa Joins Orchestra Nova and Bach Collegium
Under the leadership of Jung-Ho Pak, Orchestra Nova's guests have learned by now to expect surprises. This week's performances of Masterpiece Messiah will be no exception.
Unfortunately, one of the orchestra's guest artists, the highly acclaimed alto Katherine Lundeen, had to cancel this week after losing her voice due to a cold or virus. Scrambling to find a replacement, it was discovered that the world-renowned countertenor Brian Asawa happened to be in San Diego, his hometown – a rarity, since his busy schedule keeps him “on the road” most of the year. And so it is that Brian will be performing as a guest soloist for the Masterpiece Messiah performances. The other guest soloists are soprano Virginia Sublett, tenor Robert MacNeil and bass John Polhamus.
Opera Today , June 2009, wrote: “Brian Asawa is the most important countertenor in the world today.” Brian's career was launched in 1991 when he became the first countertenor to win the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. He has since won many more awards and has appeared in opera houses around the world.
Maestro Pak said, “We are truly saddened by the fact that one of our favorite guest artists Katherine Lundeen had to bow out this week, but we're thrilled that Brian, the world's greatest countertenor, will be able to join us for these performances. We're so blessed that he lives “in our backyard” and was available on such short notice.”
Orchestra Nova San Diego and the Bach Collegium San Diego chorus (under the leadership of music director Ruben Valenzuela) will partner to present the only performance of Handel's Messiah by professional musicians in San Diego this holiday season. The performance will be conducted by Maestro Pak, Orchestra Nova's artistic director and conductor, and will be performed in three local churches.
This authentic 18 th century re-creation of George Frideric Handel's Messiah has become a tradition for the orchestra. This approach is based on the "early instrument" style of playing and singing. Without the heavy vibrato in the instruments and by using smaller and lighter forces, the sound is much closer to the original that Handel would have envisioned and heard, with clearer text and instrumental color.
Masterpiece Messiah , Orchestra Nova's highly acclaimed dramatic presentation , includes video of great masterpieces of art that complements the music as it is performed. Alexander Jarman from the San Diego Museum of Art will join Maestro Pak for a discussion of the artwork and music after each performance.
A Spanish translation of the libretto will be available at each performance.
As a special holiday gift to San Diegans, Orchestra Nova reduced all Masterpiece Messiah tickets by $10.
The Masterpiece Messiah concert series will be performed at three venues:
Thursday, December 10, St. Paul's Cathedral-Downtown, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, December 11, St. James by-the-Sea Episcopal Church-La Jolla, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 12, Solana Beach Presbyterian Church-Solana Beach , 7:30 p.m.
Tickets : 858-350-0290 or orchestranova.org.
Photos of guest artists and the orchestra available through marketing@orchestranova.org.
