Johann Sebastian Bach
Born: March 21, 1685, in Eisenach, Germany
Died: July 28, 1750, in Leipzig, Germany
Studied: with his father, Johann Ambrosius, who taught him the violin and trumpet and with Johann Pachelbel
Assignments: 1700: chorister at the Michaelis monastery in Lüneberg; 1703–07: organist at the Neuekirche in Arnstadt; 1708: court organist and orchestra leader for the Duke of Sachsen-Weimar; 1717: Kapell-meister at Cöthen; 1723: Kantor at the Thomas School in Leipzig
Best known for: Das Wohltempierte Klavier, a collection of 48 fugues and preludes which essentially standardized the practice of equally tempering keyboard instruments. J.S. Bach is also widely known for his works for unaccompanied violin and cello, his concerti, cantatas, and oratorios, among others.
Notable compositions: Well-tempered Clavier, 1722; Easter Oratorio, 1725; St. Matthew Passion, 1727; Christmas Oratorio, 1734–35; Jesu, meine Freude, 1735; Completion of the Mass in B minor, 1748–49
Quote: “The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.” — J.S. Bach
Paula Rasmussen, mezzo-soprano
Performances with: Opera National de Paris, Oper Stadt der Koln, Welsh National Opera, Bayerische Sattsaoper, De Nederlandse Opera, Glyndebourne, Grand Theatre de Geneve, Los Angeles Opera, Dallas Opera, New York City Opera, Glimmerglass Opera, Boston Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Cleveland Orchestra, Houston Symphony, San Francisco Symphony, Cincinnati May Festival, Atlanta Symphony
Recent roles: Carmen with New York City Opera, La Clemenza di Tito in Munich, Le Nozze di Figaro in Dallas and Mozart Requiem in Tanglewood.
Upcoming engagements: Rosina in Il Barbiere di Siviglia with Pittsburgh Opera, Hansel and Gretel (with husband Donald Sherrill as Peter) in Dallas, La Cenerentola in Koln, and Il Viaggio a Reims in Barcelona
L.A. Opera appearances include: Sesto in Giulio Cesare and Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni, Werther, Il Ritorno D’Ullisse in Patria, Ariadne auf Naxos and Hansel und Gretel.
In concert: Bach’s Mass in B Minor with Cleveland Orchestra, Debussy’s Le Martyre de Saint Sebastien and La Manoiselle Elue for the Los Angeles Philharmonic and in recital with Benita Valenti at the Ravinnia Festival
Mary Wilson, soprano
Appearances with: the American Bach Soloists, Anchorage Opera, Indianapolis Symphonic Choir, Chattanooga Symphony, Tulsa Opera, Traverse City Symphony, Bach Society of St. Louis, Israel Philharmonic, Dayton Philharmonic, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Handel Choir and the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, among others
Sung premieres of: Glass’ Galileo Galilei as Grand Duchess Christina; Missouri premiere of Handel’s Gloria; North American premiere of Dove’s Flight
Awards: 1999 National Finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions; Adams Fellowship from the Carmel Bach Festival; career grant from Opera Theatre of St. Louis’ Richard Gaddes Fund for Opera Singers
Education: degrees from St. Olaf College (Minnesota) and Washington University (Missouri)
Press: “Wilson… has a silvery voice of clarion purity, intelligently used.” — St. Louis Post-Dispatch