NICK DEBUTS TITLE ROLE IN HANDEL'S JUDAS MACCABBAEUS
Nick performs the title role in Handel’s Judas Maccabaeus at the Herbst Theater with soprano, Robin Johanssen, Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Nicholas McGegan
Photo: Philharmonia Baroque
“Sunday’s performance in Berkeley’s First Congregational Church did rejoice in tenor Nicholas Phan’s vivid and heroic performance as Judas. This was a clarion account, with the music emerging vigorously at the top of his range — never more excitingly than in the Act 2 aria “Sound an alarm!” where the trumpets and drums came aboard at the halfway point. And in the final stately elegy, “With honour let desert be crown’d,” Phan took the rare occasion to inject his appearance with a welcome note of pathos.”
“Tenor Nicholas Phan in the lead role and baritone William Berger as Judas’ younger brother Simon shined as the oratorio’s most heroic figures. Phan’s Act 1 airs ‘Call forth thy pow’rs’ and “‘No unhallow’d desire’ gave energetic tastes of his vocal heft, and again in the vocal leaps that gracefully came back down to earth in his Act 2 air ‘How vain is man.’ Later in the same act, he soared majestically, accompanied by trumpets and timpani in the rousing air ‘Sound an alarm.’”
“Even decades ago, McGegan was a leader in casting musicians who defied the stereotype of “early music singer.” There was judicious use of vibrato in Saturday’s performance, and the voices were full and strong. Tenor Nicholas Phan, the most recognizable name on the bill, has both a deft touch with strikingly clear declamation — no need to refer to the program to understand what he’s singing — and a ringing, heroic tone when needed. “How vain is man” was sure-footed and lightly voiced, while the call to battle “Sound an alarm” was commanding and urgent.”
- San Francisco Classical Voice
“American tenor Nicholas Phan is a big favorite of Northern California audiences. Singing the title role with resonant strength, his voice opened beautifully at heroic moments and shaded convincingly when thoughtful.”