American Classical Orchestra’s Riveting Performance of Bach’s St. John Passion

American Classical Orchestra’s 40th anniversary season continued on January 30th with a performance of Bach’s St. John Passion in a packed Alice Tully Hall. The entire experience was magnificent and transporting in the perfect synergy between the exceptional, sensitive conducting of Maestro Thomas Crawford, the warm-sounding, outstandingly expressive orchestra, and the splendid voices of the ACO chorus and soloists, who are chorus members themselves. 

Left to right: Alex Guerrero, Reginald Mobley, Kristen Hahn, Elisse Albian, Enrico Lagasca, Maestro Thomas Crawford, Andrew Padgett, Timothy McDevitt, Edward Vogel, Gene Stenger with ACO Orchestra and chorus

Jacob Perry brought narrative fire to the role of the Evangelist, in clear diction infused with a range of emotions, from awe to outrage to heartbreaking sadness. Enrico Lagasca’s booming, sumptuous voice endowed the role of Jesus with a larger-than-life, imposing presence, at times thunderous, at times enigmatic. Lagasca gave us a commanding Jesus whose soft utterings on the cross as he addressed Mary and the disciple, expressed his thirst and ended with “Es ist vollbracht”, sounded even more haunting by contrast. Pilate, in Andrew Padgett’s chilling, sinuous interpretation built up a kind of electrifying, edge-of-seat suspense, as though, despite knowing the story, one might still hope and wait with bated breath for a different outcome. 

Countertenor Reginald Mobley created spellbinding vocal effects, especially in “Es ist vollbracht” to which he brought otherworldly beauty and elegant tones. Kristen Hahn’s rendition of “Ich folge dir” resounded with crystalline delicacy. Elisse Albian’s radiant, fascinating soprano mesmerized in “Zerfleiße, mein Herze” while Gene Stenger’s warm, gleaming tenor brought soul and compassion to “Erwäge”. Alex Guerrero, Timothy McDevitt, and Edward Vogel were equally impressive, vocally and musically.  The ACO Chorus showcased their remarkable vocal and dynamic range in impeccable sync, from majestic volume to crisp urgency to ethereal resonances to plaintive and sublime colors.  

Truly a captivating evening of musical genius, emotional transcendence, and spiritual beauty.

Photos courtesy of the American Classical Orchestra

Top photo: Maestro Thomas Crawford and ACO orchestra and chorus

About Maria-Cristina Necula (195 Articles)
Maria-Cristina Necula's new book - "The Voice Beneath the Quince Tree: A Memoir of Growing Up in Communist Romania" - has just been released and is now available on Amazon. Her published work includes the books "The Don Carlos Enigma: Variations of Historical Fictions" and "Life in Opera: Truth, Tempo and Soul," two translations: "Europe à la carte" and Molière’s "The School for Wives," and the collection of poems "Evanescent." Her articles and interviews have been featured in "Classical Singer" Magazine, "Opera America," "Das Opernglas," "Studies in European Cinema," and "Opera News." As a classically trained singer she has performed in the New York City area at Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall, Merkin Hall, Florence Gould Hall, and the Westchester Broadway Theatre, and has presented on opera at The Graduate Center, Baruch, The City College of New York, and UCLA Southland. She speaks six languages, two of which she honed at the Sorbonne University in Paris and the University of Vienna, and she holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from The Graduate Center, CUNY. In 2022, Maria-Cristina was awarded a New York Press Club Award in the Critical Arts Review category for her review of Matthew Aucoin's "Eurydice" at the Metropolitan Opera, published on Woman Around Town. She was a 2022-24 Fellow of The Writers' Institute at The Graduate Center. Currently, Maria-Cristina serves as the Director of Alumni Engagement at Lehman College. https://mariacristinanecula.com/