Portsmouth Pro Musica announces April concerts
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PORTSMOUTH — This April, Portsmouth Pro Musica, under the artistic direction of Priscilla Stevens French, will conclude the group’s 38th season, with a performance of Franz Joseph Haydn’s oratorio, The Creation. PPM will be joined in the performance by accompanist Fred MacArthur, soloists Bridgett Dumont, Jason McStoots, and Paul Max Tipton, and a 17 piece orchestra.
The Creation was written between 1797 and 1798 with a first performance in March 1799. The oratorio depicts and celebrates the creation of the world as described in the Book of Genesis.In parts I and II, the soloists represent the angels Raphael, Uriel, and Gabriel. In part III, the bass and soprano soloists portray Adam and Eve. In addition to the Book of Genesis, the text draws on the Book of Psalms and John Milton’s Paradise Lost. PPM’s performance presents a rare chance to see this masterwork performed in its entirety.
Brigette Dumont currently sings with PPM, and was the featured soloist in their performances of Arnesen’s Wound in the Water, Barnett’s The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass, and Berstein’s Chichester Psalms.
Paul Max Tipton has soloed under such notable figures as Leonard Slatkin, Matthias Pintscher, Helmuth Rilling, Nicholas McGegan, Paul Hillier, Craig Hella Johnson, and Martin Katz and recently was the bass soloist in Haydn’s Creation with Pacific Symphony.
Jason McStoots has been an integral part of the Boston Early Music Festival since 2005 and appears on eight of their 14 recordings. He also works regularly with Pacific MusicWorks in Seattle, Piffaro in Philadelphia, Les Délices in Cleveland and with Bach Collegium San Diego.
Performances will be held on Friday, April 21, at 7:30 p.m. at Christ Church, 43 Pine St., Exeter, N.H. and Sunday, April 23, at 3 p.m. at South Church, 292 State St., Portsmouth, N.H). Advance tickets can be purchased at www.ppmnh.org. Advance: $15; Student/Seniors $13. At the door: $20; Students/Seniors $15. All tickets are general admission and can be used at either performance.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Portsmouth Pro Musica announces April concerts
