The Cincinnati Enquirer has named CCM’s Sunday, Nov. 3, staging of J. S. Bach’s St. John Passion as its “top pick for the weekend!”
According to the preview, “it should be one of the most moving events of the entire fall season.” Tickets are still available for this unique staged performance at Cincinnati’s Christ Church Cathedral.
Learn more about CCM’s production of this cherished Baroque masterwork here.
Graduate student Conor McDonald performs the role of Jesus in CCM’s production of J.S. Bach’s ‘St. John Passion,’ presented at Christ Church Cathedral on Nov. 3. Photography by Dottie Stover.
CCM’s Chamber Choir and Philharmonia Chamber Orchestra join forces to perform a unique staged production of Johann Sebastian Bach’s visceral rendering of the St. John Passion as the next installment in CCM’s 2013-14 Prestige Concert Series. The monumental work will be presented at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 3, at Christ Church Cathedral under the direction of Earl Rivers, staged by Omer Ben-Seadia, and in conjunction with the Constella Festival of Music and Fine Arts.
Bach composed his St. John Passion for the congregations of Leipzig, Germany for Good Friday services in April 1724. The story is narrated by the character of the Evangelist and emphasizes the conflict of Pontius Pilate. “Bach’s interpretation provides us with a dramatic and physiological account,” explains stage director and Artist Diploma directing student Omer Ben-Seadia. “The staging will portray the drama through symbolic elements and light. The text and historical reflection are just as pungent today as ever – and the staging confronts these truths head on.” Ben-Seadia will also direct CCM’s Mainstage Series production of Don Pasquale in April 2014.
“Performances of Bach’s Passions, particularly in light of the attention that Mel Gibson’s film The Passion of the Christ received, present an opportunity for Christians and Jews to confront issues of religious intolerance, and the role of the arts and how the arts might, advertently or inadvertently, promote intolerance,” explains conductor and Director of Choral Studies Earl Rivers. “By exploring these issues, we will know the music better and we will know each other better.”
The concert will be performed at the magnificent setting of Christ Church Cathedral, which enjoys a long tradition of great choral music and is hosting the collaboration between CCM’s Chamber Choir and Philharmonia Chamber Orchestra and the Constella Festival for a second year. In 2010, the CCM Chamber Choir and Philharmonia Orchestra presented the 400th Anniversary of Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610 at the downtown location, and the Cathedral presents a wide variety of performances throughout the year.
CCM alumnus and Joseph and Frances Jones Poetker Visiting Artist Jeffrey Thompson, tenor, will sing the role of the Evangelist. CCM graduate voice majors Conor McDonald and Jeffrey Byrnes, baritones, perform the roles of Jesus and Pilate, respectively. The roles of aria soloists will be sung by CCM graduate voice majors Danielle Adams, soprano; Laurin McAlister, mezzo-soprano; Alec Carlson, tenor; Jonathan Cooper, baritone; and Stefan Egerstrom, bass. Guest Artist Adriana Contino, cellist, plays continuo cello and Michael Unger, Assistant Professor of Harpsichord and Organ, is featured as harpsichordist. Student obbligato soloists include Haoli Lin and Yang Liu, violin; Xue Su and Carol Joe, flute; and Katelyn Kyser and Martha Peck, oboe.
Cincinnati’s Christ Church Cathedral.
CCM’s Chamber Choir and Philharmonia Chamber Orchestra combine for an unforgettable performance of Bach’s supreme choral-orchestral achievement, Mass in B Minor. The monumental work will be presented at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 28, at Christ Church Cathedral under the direction of Earl Rivers and in conjunction with the Constella Festival of Music and Fine Arts.
Elmer Thomas at CCM for the occasion of his 80th birthday in October, 2010.
CCM’s Chamber Choir and Chorale, UC Men’s and Women’s Choruses, Cincinnati Children’s Choir and Cincinnati’s Vocal Arts Ensemble combine at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 30 in Corbett Auditorium to celebrate the life of Elmer Robert Thomas, a pioneering choral director who left an enduring legacy in Cincinnati. Thomas died of respiratory failure at the age of 81 on June 13, 2012.
Professor emeritus Elmer Thomas founded CCM’s choral studies program over 45 years ago and built it into a program recognized far and wide for its excellence. His caring nature and passion for his art made him an admired mentor by his students and a revered colleague and friend by his peers. He remained director of the program until 1995.
The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) is delighted to announce its 2012-13 schedule of major events. From September through May, CCM will present a series of 50 performances spanning the spectrum of the performing and media arts.
This series begins with the internationally-acclaimed Ariel Quartet’s inaugural concert as CCM string-quartet-in-residence on Tuesday, Sept. 11 and concludes with a Sunday, May 5 performance by the Cincinnati Children’s Choir, gold medal-winners at the 2012 World Choir Games.
The 2012-13 performance schedule also features festivals showcasing the works of German composers Ludwig van Beethoven and Kurt Weill, jazz tributes to the music of Stevie Wonder and Frank Zappa, a dynamic revival of the rock musical Chess, a performance of J.S. Bach’s Mass in B Minor presented in conjunction with the Constella Festival and much more.
These creative collaborations are part of a year-long celebration, ushering in CCM’s second half-century as a college of the University of Cincinnati (UC). In August of 1962, the then century-old Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music joined UC as its 14th college. This merger created the institution now known as CCM, an institution built on the synergy of education, innovation and performance. Learn more about CCM’s history by visiting ccm.uc.edu/about/history.
Subscription and flex ticket packages are now on sale for the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music’s 2012-13 performance season. This year’s season includes 50 major events, ranging from fully staged operas and musicals to intimate chamber music concerts and holiday-themed choral extravaganzas.
Download a digital copy of this year’s season brochure today. Physical copies are also available at the CCM Box Office.
Professor Emeritus Elmer Thomas
The Cincinnati Enquirer‘s Janelle Gelfand has penned a moving remembrance of Elmer Robert Thomas, professor emeritus and founder of the department of Choral Studies at CCM. You can view her story here.
Professor Thomas died of respiratory failure on June 13 at University Hospital. He was 81.
“He often spoke of the joy of living his life surrounded by the great music of great composers, and he frequently reminded his students that in their careers they would always find joy, and solace, as needed, in great musical works,” said Earl Rivers, CCM director of choral studies. “Elmer remained my mentor throughout our relationship. He was the first person whose insight and opinions I sought when studying, preparing, and executing masterworks for chorus and chorus and orchestra.”
We would like to express our sincerest condolences to all of the members of the Thomas family.
CCM Professor Emeritus Elmer Thomas; photo by Sandy Underwood
On Sunday, Oct. 24, CCM’s Choral Studies Program presents a very special concert event. “Elmer Thomas’ 80th Birthday Concert” celebrates CCM Professor Emeritus and Choral Studies-founder Elmer Thomas. Thomas was a member of CCM’s faculty from 1966-1995, elevating the Choral Studies Program to international recognition during that time. His birthday concert will feature the CCM Chamber Choir and Chorale, UC Men’s and Women’s Choruses, Cincinnati Children’s Choir and Vocal Arts Ensemble performing a variety of choral classics. Earl Rivers, Brett Scott, Brandon Dean, Olga Artemova, Robyn Lana and Stephanie Nash conduct.
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