Press
BILLY BUDD, the second offering of San Francisco Opera’s 2019-20 season, exceeded all expectations (seen Sept. 7). Intensely theatrical, brilliantly musical and insightfully staged, Benjamin Britten’s seafaring drama returned to the War Memorial Opera House in an unforgettable performance. […] Philip Horst (Redburn), Wayne Tigges (Flint), and Christian Pursell (Ratcliffe) were well-matched as the officers serving under Vere.
Other standouts included bass-baritones Philip Horst as Mr. Redburn, Wayne Tigges as Mr. Flint and Christian Pursell as Mr. Ratcliffe.
The most pleasing surprise of the night was Christian Pursell, in the small role of Samuel the prophet. In his confrontation with Saul, Pursell’s resonant bass-baritone was fully equal to the challenge of Okulitch’s voice. SIMON WILLIAMS
Sarah Mesko, who makes her Opera Theatre debut in the 2019 season as Ottavia in The Coronation of Poppea, sings the title role. In their OTSL debuts, Adam Smith and Christian Pursell will sing the roles of Don José and Escamillo, Carmen’s rival admirers. Former Gerdine Young Artist Erica Petrocelli sings her first principal role, Micaëla. Director Rodula Gaitanou and conductor Timothy Myers both make their OTSL premieres interpreting Bizet’s lush opera.
Second-year Adler Fellow Pursell, who has already appeared in four S.F. Opera productions — including as Sir Walter Raleigh in Roberto Devereux — had both his fellow singers and the audience enthralled, and at times in stitches, from Wolf’s “The Hunter” to Barber’s “Church Bell at Night” and hilarious “The Monk and His Cat.” JANOS GEREBEN
We are proud to announce the singers who will participate in the Operalia Competition in Prague this summer …
Christian Pursell, bass-baritone, USA, 28
In smaller parts, current SFO Adler Fellow bass-baritone Christian Pursell was impressive, as both Saul's errand-runner Doeg and the gloomy ghost of the prophet Samuel. PHILIP CAMPBELL
Robust bass-baritone Daniel Okulitch thundered appropriately, relishing every moments of Saul’s badness, and sopranos Sherezade Panthaki (Michal) and Yulia Van Doren (Merab) made vivid impressions as the daughters he uses as bargaining chips. Tenor Aaron Sheehan was eloquent as Saul’s unfortunate son, Jonathan. Tenor Jonathan Smucker and bass-baritone Christian Pursell made effective contributions in various supporting roles. GEORGIA ROWE
The Community Foundation for Southern Arizona is pleased to announce that bass-baritone Christian Pursell is the recipient of the Igor Gorin Memorial Award 2019 Award. Mr. Pursell is currently an Adler Fellow at San Francisco Opera. As the recipient of the 2019 Igor Gorin Memorial Award, Mr. Pursell received a $10,000 unrestricted award to help relieve some of the financial burden that often hinders young artists at the onset of their career.
Christian Pursell, bass-baritone, Adler Fellowship at San Francisco Opera
