Quasthoff Cancels; Programs Revised

EUGENE—Singer Thomas Quasthoff has cancelled his 2004 Oregon Bach Festival appearances due to bronchitis.

The Festival confirmed the news in phone and email conversations with Thomas and his agent over the June 18 weeked. The Festival will offer concerts on evenings that had been scheduled to feature the singer in solo roles, with the following changes:

June 30, American Songbook, Hult Center
For this program of swing, standards, and American songs, pianist Jeffrey Kahane will join the ensemble that includes his son, singer/pianist Gabriel, French hornist Rick Todd, drummer Alan Tarpinian, and bassist Forrest Moyer. Trumpeter/vocalist Guy Few will be a special guest.

July 3 Vocal Recital, Beall Hall
Soprano Maria Jette, a longtime Festival favorite, will sing an eclectic program of art songs from German, Italian, English, and Viennese traditions by Fanny Mendelssohn, Ludwig Spohr, Dominic Argento, and Franz Schubert. Also features pianist Sonja Thompson and clarinetist Michael Anderson.

July 7, Vocal Recital, Beall Hall
Baritone Sanford Sylvan, an Emmy and Grammy winner and three-time Grammy nominee, and longtime accompanist David Breitman perform Schubert’s great song cycle, Winterreise (Winter’s Journey).

July 11, Elijah
Canadian baritone Russell Braun, acclaimed veteran of the Metroploitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and Salzburg, will sing the title role in Mendelssohn’s full-scale, choral-orchestral masterwork, conducted by Helmuth Rilling.

Tickets already purchased for those dates will be honored for the new concerts, with a refund guarantee for the June 30, July 3, and July 7 programs if the concert experience doesn’t live up to expectations. The July 3 and 7 concerts are sold out.

"In 1997, the Angeles String Quartet had to cancel two sold out concerts at the Festival because of last minute injuries to two players," said George Evano, Festival communications director. "But other Festival artists stepped up to help their colleagues and created two of the most memorable performances of that year. One of the artists who volunteered to perform was Thomas Quasthoff.

"This summer his friends and fellow performers will try and return the favor."

Since his American debut at the Festival in 1995, Quasthoff has risen to the top rank of classical vocalists. But he has returned to the Festival six times in that span, and has often stated how Eugene is like a second home.

In a message, Quasthoff said, "I have been suffering from bronchitis and have been advised by my doctor not to fly, and to rest my voice until I am fully recovered. With great regret I need to cancel my appearances at the Oregon Bach Festival."

Festival organizers will post a king-size get well card in the Hult Center lobby for audience members to write their well wishes, reminisces, and regards. The notes will be sent to Quasthoff in Germany at the Festival’s conclusion.

"Obviously, we’re very disappointed that Thomas had to cancel," said Festival executive director Royce Saltzman. "But many have said the Festival is like a family, and when a family member is ill, everyone pitches in to help. We hope that audiences join us to experience what will surely be excellent concerts, and join us in extending to Thomas our sincere best wishes."