APOLLO'S FIRE | ST. JOHN PASSION
BACH: ST. JOHN PASSION WITH JEANNETTE SORRELL & APOLLO'S FIRE
"Nicholas Phan sang the tenor role of the Evangelist beautifully, with unusual animation and dramatic vehemence. He also sang the tenor arias and stood up to the dual task impressively."
"One also could not help but admire tenor Nicholas Phan. Doing double duty as tenor soloist and Evangelist, the singer supplied both theatricality and sheer vocal splendor, rendering his recitative boldly and clearly, then turning around moments later and singing arias with rare suavity and personal investment. If this somber, stirring show had a star, it was he."
"Phan controlled the narrative admirably, pressing ahead when circumstances demanded it and pulling back when the action calmed down. Seemingly indefatigable, and singing with a healthy, robust tone, he related the Gospel story engagingly…For his arias, Phan put down his score and became a virtuosic soloist. “Ach, mein Sinn,” at the end of the first part, is a killer, but Phan negotiated its craggy lines and plaintive cries with ease."
"Central to the Passion’s theatrical intensity was tenor Nicholas Phan’s riveting performance as the Evangelist John, who recounts the whole story. Phan’s sensitive and flexible emotive power were remarkable. No less amazing was his skill at delivering long and tongue-twisting passages (in German) with speed and musicality."