Handel’s Esther with Music of the Baroque
“MOB fielded baritone Nomura for the role of the villain Haman, plumbing a vein of defeated sadness in Haman’s final two arias that almost made one feel sorry for the old reprobate.” Chicago Classical Reviews – February 28, 2018
Allegiance, Longacre Theatre, Broadway, New York City:
“Gaman, steeped in meaning and originating from the German word translating as ‘endurance with dignity,’ is sung beautifully by Salonga and baritone Christópheren Nomura.” Reviewshub – February 5, 2016
“Christòpheren Nomura, cast as Kei and Sammy's proud, stoic father.” USA Today - November 8, 2015
“Distinguished baritone Nomura brings gravitas, and a fine balance of sternness and warmth.” Hollywood Reporter - November 8, 2015
“As Tatsuo, Christòpheren Nomura drives several numbers with his booming, resonant baritone.” San Diego Union - November 8, 2015
“Christopheren Nomura has a great baritone.” Variety - November 8, 2015
"Stunning” -Bethlehem Press
Baritone Sensation Christopheren Nomura Wows Ashland Audience
“Christopheren Nomura is perhaps the preeminent baritone singer of his generation, seemingly in the midst of an incomparable career and definitely at the top of his form. When Nomura first sang, you could sense a collective ‘wow’ creep through the auditorium. The vocal aspects of his singing are superb – clear pure tones across an extensive vocal range, perfect pitch, crisp enunciation, a full and aptly varying array of dynamics. He uses everything at his disposal to convey the music - it is as complete and perfect a performance by a singer as one could possibly ask for and an absolute joy to behold. Mr. Nomura doesn’t just sing these songs, but seems to inhabit them. A very animated, expressive, powerful and emotional performance, delivered with sublime vocal and physical subtlety.” Jacksonville Review - April 24, 2015
Britten’s War Requiem, Indianapolis Symphonic Choir:
“The soloists gave stellar performances with Nomura’s sumptuous baritone vocals standing out" Examiner.com - May 8, 2014
“Baritone Christòpheren Nomura earned special mention.”
Nuvo.net - May 5, 2014
Baldwin-Wallace Bach Festival:
“Christopheren Nomura as Jesus concentrated all his dramatic sensibilities into his singing, investing his rich baritone with great emotion; in his rendering of Jesus's last words, ‘It is finished,’ Nomura brought a world of pathos to the tiny three-word phrase.”
Cleveland Pain Dealer - April 28, 2014
Haydn’t Creation, Music of the Baroque, Jane Glover:, conductor, Chicago, IL and La Jolla, CA:
“With the stellar solo trio of Futral, Phan and bass-baritone Christopheren Nomura, there was plenty of subtle drama as all three singers were unusually attentive to the nuances of the text.”
San Diego Union Tribune – April 4, 2014
“Under Glover’s vital direction, the excellent soloists delivered an ebullient, vividly characterized performance, one of MOB’s finest efforts. Christopheren Nomura as Raphael anchored the trio of soloists superbly at the low end. His warmly expressive yet firmly focused bass-baritone brought fine drama to the dark, opening recitative and Old Testament fury to ‘Rolling in foaming billows’.” Chicago Classical Review - April 1, 2014
“Nomura, who sang the archangel Raphael as well as Adam, had the lion's share of the arias
and recitatives. He sang with musicality, power and lyricism, the tone firm from ringing
top to saturnine bottom.” Chicago Tribune - March 31, 2014
“A first-class trio of soloists. Christopheren Nomura brought a plush, measured
resonance and adroit technique, including faultless diction and wonderfully nuanced dynamic
control, to his singing.” Chicago Sun Times - March 31, 2
Baldwin-Wallce Bach Festival:
“A fine quartet of vocal soloists added emotional resonance to the performance. Baritone Christopheren Nomura sang with noble authority.” Cleveland Plain Dealer - April 21, 2013
Bach St. John Passion, National Cathedral, Washington, DC:
“Christopheren Nomura and Nicholas Phan were powerfully expressive.” Washington Post - March 25, 2013
Haydn’s Creation, National Cathedral, Washington, DC:
“Keith, Mullerand Nomura individually brought a unique quality in their solo singing and were a perfect match when they sang in ensemble. Nomura’s baritone was commanding, but also possessed a glowing warmth. Nomura made wonderful use of falsetto as he sang of the ‘light and flaky’ snow. Such thoughtful interpretative nuances breathed life into the age old story.”
Washington Life - October 29, 2012
Aspen Music Festival with the American Brass Quintet:
“An impressive new work, Songs of War and Loss, written by Anthony Plog in 2011, found deep reservoirs of beauty and power in a series of Civil War poems by Walt Whitman. Baritone Christòpheren Nomura sang the words with conviction, warmth and lyric sound while the writing for the brass painted the scenes behind them. ‘How Solemn as One by One,’ an arresting depiction of an army company fording a stream, and ‘Reconciliation,’ a touching glimpse of a surviving soldier honoring his dead opponent, were especially moving.” Seenandheardinternational - July 24, 2012
Wadsworth concert, Newnan, Charles Wadsworth, piano:
“The concert was impressive right out of the gate, beginning with Handel, followed by Christopheren Nomura singing four Aaron Copland tunes. Charles asked the audience to hold its applause for Nomura until after the fourth song. Ha, ha ... fat chance. Nomura was welcomed to thunderous applause and a sprinkle of Bravisimos immediately following a lively rendition of ‘Zion’s Walls’ and again after the last number, ‘Chinga-Ring Chaw.’ I think the Boston Globe put it best: ‘Christòpheren Nomura is definitely a face to watch — and a voice to hear.’ This was a thoroughly enjoyable concert.” Newnan Times Herald - April 25, 2012
Brahms Requiem, Kennedy Center, Norman Scribner, conductor:
“Nomura brought a sense of mystery to his solo lines in ‘Herr, lehre doch mich.’ Giving just enough voice to reveal its beautifully, rounded warmth, it was later in the movement that a more robust sound came forth, with great authority.”
Washington Examiner - April 23, 2012
Handel’s L’Allegro, Music of the Baroque, Jane Glover, conductor:
“There was an excellent quartet of soloists. Bass Christòpheren Nomura effectively announced himself with a velvety account of ‘If I give thee honor due’ and subsequently fielded the rapid passagework of ‘Populous cities’ with distinction.” Opera News - July 2012
“Christopheren Nomura skillfully deployed his firmly focused bass-baritone and showed daunting flexibility in a jaunty Mirth, admit me of thy crew.” Chicago Classical Review - March 27, 2012
Brahms Requiem and Four Serious Songs with the Bach Choir of Bethlehem”
“Baritone Christòphren Nomura and soprano Heimes gave powerful solo performances. The program opened with one of the last pieces from Brahms’ pen, the Four Serious Songs. Nomura’s voice, powerful in the lower registers and velvety in the upper ones, was well-fitted to singing about death and sorrow. It was a gripping performance.” Lehigh Valley Music - March 18, 2012
Mahler Rückert songs, Lincoln Center ,“What Makes it Great:”
“His pure, rich baritone came alive in the softest notes, particularly in ‘Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen,’ the evening's final song, which many consider to be Mahler's finest. This utterly devastating yet thrilling song shows the true modern soul of the composer. Nomura sang in German, pausing and emphasizing words and notes. Suddenly the music took on a different form. It was almost like understanding a conversation in a foreign language for the first time. An educated, suddenly childlike group shared a moment of silence that Mahler would have cherished before applauding this entertaining and enlightening music lesson.” Operanews.com – May 2011
Cartagena International Festival:
“The most popular—and populist—piece of the evening was the Largo al Factotum aria from The Barber of Seville. Baritone Christòpheren Nomura appeared on stage drinking a glass of wine, then ran to the microphone just in time to begin singing, accompanied on piano by the festival’s artistic director, Stephen Prutsman. Within seconds, the audience was laughing. Although the aria is very demanding technically—with its constant singing of triplets, allegro vivace (quick and lively) tempo, and tongue-twisting Italian superlatives (everything ending in–issimo)—you would never know, given the levity and humor Nomura brought to it. Coming close to the end, he rendered the repeated ‘Figaros’ for which the piece is known with especial gusto. At one point, he even called out to the audience.” Americas Quarterly – January 11, 2011
Vaughan Williams’ Five Mystical Songsat the New Hampshire Music Festival:
“Five Mystical Songs received a compelling and sumptuous performance by baritone Christòpheren Nomura. Lewis was with the richly experienced Nomura at every turn, and the baritone wove a thread of moving intensity into every line, taking us to the very heart of these surpassing poems and the music that illuminates it ever further. It is difficult to imagine a more beautiful performance of this work.” Boston Musical Intelligencer - August 10, 2010
Pacific Symphony, Music Director Carl St. Clair’s 20th Anniversary concert:
“Christòpheren Nomura arrived to sing Mahler's ‘Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen,’ one of the composer's gorgeous farewells, dispatched with intimate feeling by Nomura, accompanied raptly by St.Clair.” Orange County Register - May 19, 2010
Bethlehem Bach Festival:
“Bach's Magnificat in D displayed Christopheren Nomura's bass-baritone, stunning in his arias.” Bethlehem Press - May 12, 2010
“Bass-baritone Christòpheren Nomura excelled in a booming performance of ‘Ich will’.” Morning Call - May 9, 2010
“Dominating the solo voices was baritone Christopheren Nomura, who portrayed Jesus with a booming, resonant voice. He was the only musician to perform from memory, giving him a dramatic edge that he used to great advantage.” Five stars out of five." Birmingham News - April 10, 2010
Tucson Winter Festival:
"The cast for Ravel's 'Chansons madécasses' included the formidable baritone Christopheren Nomura, who brought lusty, lyrical vocals to the erotically tinged songs." Arizona Daily Star - March 12, 2010
“Portraying their roles with deep conviction were soloists Christòpheren Nomura, Gillian Keith, Clare Wilkinson, Alan Bennett and Craig Phillips.” Washington Post - February 23, 2010
Mahler with the ProMusica Chamber Orchestra:
“Nomura’s rich, supple voice conveyed the despair of unrequited love in ‘Wenn mein Schatz Hochzeit macht,’ the joy of spring in ‘Ging heut’ Morgen uber’s Feld’ and the passion of jealousy in ‘Ich hab’ ein gluhend Messer’.” Columbus Dispatch - February 7, 2010
“One of the evening’s highlights was the bass air, “The trumpet shall sound,” with Christòpheren Nomura, who has appeared with Cincinnati Opera, and principal trumpet Robert Sullivan. Each artist embellished their solos wonderfully, and together their artistry was stunning.” Cincinnati.com - December 17, 2009
Handel's Messiah, Duke University Chapel:
“The baritone was remarkably good, infusing his lines with emotion, drama, mystery, and – always – immense dignity.” Classical Voice of NC - December 6, 2009
“Possessing an imposing instrument, bass Christòpheren Nomura as the villain of the piece Polyphemus.”
Chicago Classical Review - October 17, 2009
Orchestra Iowa, Cedar Rapids:
Headline: Orchestra Iowa stages monumental concert
“Without a doubt, Orchestra Iowa's 'Burana at Brucemore' was the finest program I've seen in 27. And what a stellar night it was, from the concert's majestic beginning to triumphant ending, peppered with bravoes, cheers, whistles and standing ovations throughout. Baritone soloist Christopheren Nomura gave everyone the shock of the evening. Calmly lounging on a blanket in the audience during the opening piece, he heard the opening passages to his piece, jumped up, gulped his wine, grab his tux jacket - and started singing from the audience. He darted through the crowd, sang to some kids down front, plopped in an empty lawn chair, then sprinted up the ramp to take his rightful place centerstage. The ruse was totally hilarious and appropriate for his role as Figaro in the instantly recognizable “Largo al Factotum” from “The Barber of Seville.” He completely charmed the crowd with Figaro's bravado, and drew an immediate standing ovation. He raised the bar high. The vocal soloists were superb in their physical interpretations of the text, and the orchestra has never sounded better. I could go on and on with accolades. Suffice it to say, this concert was monumental in every sense.” Cedar Rapids Gazette - September 13, 2009
“Chistòpheren Nomura balanced dignified phrasing with genuine feeling. You couldn't ask for more.”
Orange County Register - August 9, 2009
Haydn's "Creation," Oregon Bach Festival:
"The performance offered many excellent moments, including elaborate arias for baritone Christopheren Nomura." Oregonian - June 27, 2009
“But baritone Christòpheren Nomura was often deeply affecting, as in his final solo and in his singing of “after the blast of light’ning,” from the Sanctus.” SFClassicalVoice - April 23, 2009
Bach Christmas Oratorio, Baldwin Wallace Bach Festival:
“The account featured fine contributions from several prominent guest soloists. Christopheren Nomura’s authoritative declamation and keen phrasing proved gripping in the baritone solos.” Cleveland Plain Dealer - April 19, 2009
Hindemith's “Lilacs” Requiem, Cathedral Choral Society, Washington, DC:
“Christòpheren Nomura sang with stentorian power, preserving the force and beauty of his voice all the way to the work's conclusion.” Washington Post - March 10, 2009
Bach's "Christmas Oratorio" with the North Carolina Symphony:
“The soloists were all outstanding. As good as these were, it was when bass Nomura first sang that you could sense a collective ‘wow’ creep through the auditorium. Although he held his score at his side, he never looked at the music and the power and depth of his voice was tornadic in its effect.” Classical Voice of NC - December 7, 2008
Adams' "El Nino" Choral Arts Society, DC
“Christopheren Nomura did vivid work.” Baltimore Sun - May 30, 2008
“Nomura at his most impressive." Washington Post - May 20, 2008
Mahler and Schubert with the Peoria Symphony:
"The Mahler was heart-stopping. The feelings represented in these songs are vividly and precisely represented. Nomura's baritone proved flexible and sensitive to the text. Nomura's ability to capture subtle and not-so-subtle changes in the music was striking. The second song, for example, begins joyfully with all the freshness of morning and then almost imperceptibly passes into dreaminess; Nomura realized this shading over from one mood to the other with great sensitivity."
Peoria Journal Star - April 28, 2008
Jesus in Bach’s St. Mattehw Passion, Music of the Baroque, Jane Glover, conductor:
"Baritone Christopheren Nomura sang the part of Jesus as if wayward souls depended on it. If there's a blueprint for the portrayal of God's son in the leading hours to his crucifixion, Nomura's bold and courageous enactment ought to be it."
Chicago Sun Times - April 2, 2008
Mahler Songs of a Wayfarer, Memphis Symphony:
“The sweetest relationship was found in Mahler's "Songs of a Wayfarer," with baritone Christopheren Nomura and the MSO making beautiful music together. Nomura was terrifically controlled and expressive while Maestro David Loebel led the MSO in an eloquent, carefully balanced accompaniment. ” Commercialappeal.com - November 18, 2007
Rauschenberg in Scott Wheeler's "The Construction of Boston," with Boston Cecilia:
"Wheeler's Construction of Boston: "Makes you want to listen to the singing voices, especially when the singers are baritone Christopheren Nomura as Rauschenberg." Boston Phoenix - April 5, 2007
“Baritone Christopheren Nomura was the stentorian Rauschenberg, his snapped rhythms imposing weather and residents on the nascent city like a stern parent.” Boston Globe - April 3, 2007
Bach's "B Minor Mass" at the Berea Bach Festival in Severance Hall:
“The vocal soloists were first-rate: baritone Christopheren Nomura, nobly expressive.” Cleveland Plain Dealer - April 23, 2007
Christus in Bach's "St. Luke Passion" with the Washington Bach Consort:
"Nomura sang the part of Jesus with the requisite empathy and calm." Washington Post –-March 20, 2007
Singing Mahler and Ravel with the Annapolis Symphony:
“What hit home was Mahler's 'Songs of a Wayfarer' as performed by baritone Christopheren Nomura. Sporting luxurious tone and a vocal range that takes him from powerful notes in the lower register to a drop-dead gorgeous voice up high, Nomura entered the spirit of these remarkable songs with as open a heart as one could wish for on Valentine's Day weekend. In the opening song, he explored every emotional dimension of Mahler's halting testimony to love, loss and resignation as the lover contemplating his beloved's marriage to someone else. Mahler was a composer of tremendous extremes. Nomura conveyed this in Ging heut' morgens ubers Feld, where gentle joy mingles with wistful sadness, then morphs into the rage of Ich hab'ein glühend Messer, which articulates the torment of betrayal with scorching empathy. And it would be hard to imagine a sweeter, more romantic surrender to the joys and sorrows of life than Die zwei blauen Augen, which Nomura sang with aching beauty as the cycle ended. Novo and his players played wonderful hosts to their visitor, following him with complete conviction through an expressive score replete with interpretive challenges. They also hit the mark as they joined Nomura in Ravel's three Don Quixote songs addressed to the knight's love, Dulcinea The songs run the gamut from rapt spirituality to drunken abandon; and Novo, his soloist, and his players brought all of it home with an irresistible charm no one could resist, certainly not in the shadow of Valentine's Day.” Baltimore Sun - Feb. 23, 2007
Bach’s “Coffee Cantata,” Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center:
“Aler and Nomura were first-rate colleagues in the 'Coffee' Cantata.” New York Times – December 12, 2006
Bach Cantatas, Washington Bach Consort:
“Of a solid quartet of soloists, Christopheren Nomura stood out; his light, agile voice and his immaculate German diction easily ranged from stentorian recitatives to memorably lyrical arias." Washington Post - May 9, 2006
Handel Messiah, Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, Nicholas McGegan, conductor
Named to SF Classical Voice’s “best of the year” list.
“Baritone Christòpheren Nomura sang expressively, ornamenting tastefully, and rarely, if ever, looking at his score. 'Behold, I tell you a mystery' was a magic moment, McGegan starting the orchestra pianissimo and Nomura keeping it down until, in the twinkling of an eye, the last trumpet appeared." SFCV.org – January 3, 2006
Barber’sDover Beachwith the Cypress String Quartet:
“The Cypress was joined by Christopheren Nomura, a remarkable artist. Barber's Dover Beach's dark lyricism found its voice in Nomura's delivery: round and firm through all registers, full of heft and weight, then smoke and twilight. Il Tramonto's every emotion and narrative turn was conveyed deftly by Nomura, a fine actor. And his voice: here, it was almost weightless, floating into the upper register, sheerly beautiful.” San Jose Mercury News - December 6, 2005
“The other attraction in the concert was the unusual combination of baritone with string quartet, featuring Christopheren Nomura. Nomura interprets such pieces so soulfully, so reverberantly in his rich sonic texture, no performance of his lapses into mere narration.” Artssf.com - December 6-13, 2005
All Is Bright, with the Handel and Haydn Society, Grant Llywellyn, conductor
“The involvement of baritone Christopheren Nomura is luxury casting indeed. He's a noble soloist producing a splendidly round sound. This is as fine a performance of the piece as I've heard. With Nomura on hand, the inclusion of Howell's 'A Spotless Rose' was logical. He makes a mellifluous contribution to an excellently prepared account of this carol. The disc ends with a setting of Hodie Christus natus est, this time by Tom Vignieri. This piece was commissioned by Grant Llewellyn for the choir and here receives its first recording. There's an important part for solo baritone, which suggests to me that it may have been commissioned specifically with this CD and the participation of Nomura in mind. He sings splendidly once again. This is as fine a Christmas disc as I've heard in a long time. If you're looking for a seasonal gift for a musical friend this year then this could be the perfect solution. But one word of warning. Don't sample it first or you may be tempted to keep it instead as a treat for yourself. I'm certain that this excellent CD will be in my player this Christmas Eve!” Musicweb Intl. - November 28, 2004
"
"It is difficult to imagine a more beautiful performance...” Boston Musical Intelligencer
"And his voice...it was almost weightless...sheerly beautiful.”
San Jose Mercury News
"You couldn't ask for more.” Orange County Register
"He sings splendidly once again"
Musicweb International
"If there's a blueprint...Nomura's bold and courageous enactment ought to be it." Chicago Sun Times