Press
Bass-baritone Christian Pursell treated Escamillo’s music to rich, resonant tones that suited the macho persona of the star bullfighter, making it convincing that Carmen would leave José for him. Pursell brought suavity and swagger to the “Toreador Song,” and in Act 4, he sang Escamillo’s little love song to Carmen with an ardor that got the message across. STEVEN BROWN
Standoffish at first when tasked with guarding Carmen, [Don Jose] gradually succumbs to her charms but is later thrown over by the ultra-suave matador Escamillo (Christian Pursell). CHRIS GRAY
Bass-baritone Pursell, another young artist on the rise, impressively sings Escamillo as if born in a bullring. His French diction is impeccable and he swirls his overcoat like a matador. But it's his cavernous baritone that wins Carmen's heart. It wins ours, too. D. L. GROOVER
But most memorable are Janai Brugger as Micaëla, a kind and virtuous hometown woman who longs to marry Don José, and Christian Pursell as the toreador Escamillo. I don’t know if Pursell intended his character to be a mix of bravado and comic swagger, but from the moment he lumbers onto the stage with his white fedora and salmon-colored linen suit, you just know that this is the guy your mother told you to avoid at all costs. DAVID LYMAN
The surprise of the evening was the Escamillo of Christian Pursell, who had been heard in small roles in earlier seasons. …he handled the notoriously wide-ranging music with seeming ease, showing a brilliant upper register and solid low notes. JOE LAW
Christian Pursell, a graduate of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, shone as the bullfighter Escamillo. He made his entrance in a dapper salmon-colored suit, tossing flowers and wielding a spectacular bass-baritone in the Toreador Song. JANELLE GELFAND
Baritone Christian Pursell is another near scene-stealer. Bursting onto the stage in a salmon-colored suit and white fedora, he sings the bullfighter Escamillo’s aria with arrogant swagger and a clear, clarion tone. ANNE ARENSTEIN
Rounding out the cast is bass-baritone Christian Pursell as Escamillo, making his HGO debut.
There are so many touches to savor, both in the instrumental accents and the phrasing of McGegan’s fine crop of soloists. … Bass-baritone Christian Pursell is excellent playing both the prophet Samuel and Doeg. JASON VICTOR SERINUS
Lyric Opera of Kansas City General Director and CEO Deborah Sandler today announced the company's 2020-2021 season. It features four mainstage productions, including The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess and The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs, both of which are being performed on a Lyric Opera of Kansas City stage for the first time. Two all-time favorites known for incomparable melodies - Verdi's beloved La traviata and Bizet's passionate Carmen - round out the extraordinarily diverse season. […]
CARMEN
Cast and Artistic TeamCarmen: Ginger Costa-Jackson *
Don Jose: Eric Fennell *
Escamillo: Christian Pursell *
Micaela: Celine Byrne *
Conductor: Emmanuel Plasson*
Director : Kathleen Belcher* Lyric Opera of Kansas City debut
