Press
"Winners of $10,000 awards and continuing assistance starting in 2018 are: sopranos Michelle Bradley, Monica Dewey, Pureum Jo, Felicia Moore, and Laura Wilde; mezzo-sopranos Kristen Choi and Abigail Levis; tenors Derrek Stark and David Walton; and baritone Christian Pursell."
"It was followed by another outstanding performance, this time by bass-baritone Christian Pursell in the aria Massime così indegne” from Handel’s Rinaldo. Singing with power and conviction, Pursell was ably joined by mezzo-soprano Edith Grossman."
"...and there was bass-baritone Christian Pursell’s formidable explosion of meaty, impeccably modulated sound in an aria from Handel’s 'Rodelinda.'"
"But Pursell has great comic flair, which was evident in his Act II introduction to a duet with Don Magnifico about “Un segreto d’importanza.” Pursell even used multiple voices, breaking into falsetto at one point to imitate the cloying caterwauling of the sisters Tisbe and Clorinda."
"It is easy to steal the show with Dandini's part, it has plenty of comic relief as the valet enjoying the life as the king. But baritone Christian Pursell's voice had a pleasing directness, an effortless volume and tonal steadiness, he was just more than comedic fodder, he was a wonder to listen to."
"This award is given to seven young singers who are showing great promise at the start of their respective careers. Each recipient earns $5,000 apiece. The winners this year are countertenor Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen, tenor Alexander McKissick, bass-baritone Christian Pursell, bass-baritone Cody Quattlebaum, mezzo-soprano Taylor Raven, tenor Jack Swanson, and soprano Vanessa Vasquez."
"Christian Pursell’s hale-and-hearty baritone helped construction worker Tom come across as a regular guy."
"Among the worthy supporting singers were Devon Guthrie as Mary Johnson, Hawkins' sharp-eyed office assistant; baritone and Ryan Opera Center alumnus Paul Scholten as Tommy McIntyre, a reporter; baritone Marcus DeLoach as the grandstanding McCarthy; bass-baritone Christian Pursell and baritone Vernon Hartman, both taking multiple roles."
"Other cast members made fine contributions, sometimes in multiple roles, including Christian Pursell (notably as the priest who takes Tim’s confession), Paul Scholten as Tommy McIntyre and Talya Lieberman as Lucy, who marries Hawk."
