Amy Pfrimmer & Dreux Montegut - Eternal Life: Sacred Songs and Arias (2017)

O sing unto the Lord a new song; for He hath done marvelous things: His right hand, and His holy arm, hath gotten Him the victory [Psalm 98:1]. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: Come before His presence with singing [Psalm 100:1-2]. Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord [Ephesians 5:19].

These scripture verses are just a few examples of passages found throughout the Bible - especially in the Psalms - that demonstrate how people of faith are taught to come before the Lord, singing, praising and honoring Him. The composers represented in this collection give us works of praise, thanksgiving, encouragement, prayer and reflection, in a broad spectrum of the best-loved and often performed sacred songs and arias from the soprano repertoire. Various styles, periods and purposes are represented, with particular attention given to presenting a mixture of genres, language and subject material.

Known for dramatic and vocal versatility, soprano Amy Pfrimmer has sung professionally across the United States, Canada and Europe. Notable operatic engagements include Montreal Opera, New Orleans Opera, Bulgarian State Opera Stara Zagora, Florida Grand Opera, Mississippi Opera, Opera Grand Rapids, Virginia Opera, Mozart Festival Opera and Ohio Light Opera in such roles as the Merry Widow, Violetta, Mimi, Musetta, Cio-Cio San, Nedda, Rosalinda, Pamina and Freia. She has appeared in the concert setting, performing with the Illinois Symphony, Santa Barbara Symphony, Atlanta Symphony, Virginia Symphony, Alabama Symphony, Memphis Symphony, Louisiana Philharmonic, Baltimore Choral Arts Society, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, and with the London Symphony and Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz. Recent concert works include Schoenberg's Pierrot Lunaire, Poulenc's Gloria, Handel's Messiah, J.S. Bach's Wachet Auf, Britten's Ceremony of Carols and Beethoven's Choral Symphony. She collaborated frequently with the late Dave Brubeck in his Mass, To Hope! A Celebration and La Fiesta de la Posada. A frequent award-winner, Pfrimmer received a fellowship from Louisiana Division of the Arts, a study grant from the Metropolitan Opera's Education Fund, Florida Grand Opera's Gilbert Artist of the Year, and an Emerging Leader Award from the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS). Early in her career, she attracted considerable attention as a national finalist and regional winner of the Metropolitan Opera's National Council Auditions.

Tenor and pianist Dreux Montegut has served as the Director of Music at the St. Louis Cathedral Basilica since 1996, where he directs the St. Louis Cathedral Choir and Concert Choir. He has been a Loyola University faculty member since 1994. His extensive work with young male voices has become a specialty, making him a sought after instructor in the field. Montegut is a member of several professional music organizations including National Association of Teachers of Singing, American Choral Directors Association (ADCA) and National Association for Music Education, formerly Music Educators National Conference (MENC). Montegut has served on the faculties of Tulane University and Notre Dame Graduate School of Theology, and has served as Assistant Chorus Master with the New Orleans Opera and a director with New Orleans Children's Chorus. He maintains an active private studio, with students going on to prestigious graduate programs and apprenticeships with the Ryan Opera Center, Merola Opera Program, Santa Fe Opera, Central City Opera, Wolf Trap Opera and Chautauqua Opera. Several of Montegut's students have won notable competitions, including the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and the Orpheus National Vocal Competition.

TRACKLIST
01. Eternal Life – A Prayer by St. Francis of Assisi
02. Panis Angelicus
03. Laudate Dominum
04. Ave Maria
05. En Prière
06. O Divine Redeemer
07. Hear Ye, Israel!
08. Ave Maria
09. The Lord’s Prayer
10. The Holy City
11. He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands
12. His Name So Sweet
13. Ride On, King Jesus!
14. Give Me Jesus