ALBUMBerlioz: The Damnation of Faust (Live)Edward Gardner, London Philharmonic Orchestra, London Philharmonic Choir, London Symphony Chorus, Karen Cargill, John Irvin, Christopher Purves & Jonathan Lemalu
More albums from Christopher Purves
ALBUMMy Soul, What Fear You?Christopher Purves & Simon Lepper
ALBUMBerlioz: La damnation de FaustLondon Symphony Orchestra, London Symphony Chorus, Christopher Purves, Karen Cargill, Bryan Hymel, Gábor Bretz & Sir Simon Rattle
ALBUMHandel: Messiah, HWV 56Lucy Crowe, Andrew Staples, Christopher Purves, Choeur du Concert d'Astrée, Orchestre du Concert d'Astrée & Emmanuelle Haïm
ALBUMHandel: Esther, HWV 50bRosemary Joshua, James Bowman, Susan Bickley, Christopher Purves, The London Handel Orchestra & Laurence Cummings
ALBUMWritten on SkinBarbara Hannigan, George Benjamin, Mahler Chamber Orchestra, Bejun Mehta, Christopher Purves, Rebecca Jo Loeb & Allan Clayton
ALBUMBritten: The Rape of LucretiaOliver Knussen, Ian Bostridge, Peter Coleman-Wright, Christopher Purves, Susan Gritton, Hilary Summers, Angelika Kirchschlager, Benjamin Russell, Claire Booth & Aldeburgh Festival Ensemble
ALBUMHandel: SaulThe Sixteen, Harry Christophers, Christopher Purves, Dame Sarah Connolly, Robert Murray, Elizabeth Atherton, Joélle Harvey, Mark Dobell, Jeremy Budd & Stuart Young
ALBUMDonizetti: Maria di RohanChristopher Purves, Brindley Sherratt, Graeme Broadbent, Sir Mark Elder, Enkelejda Shkosa, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, José Bros, Krassimira Stoyanova & Loïc Félix
ALBUMLoeb: Music for ShinobueDavid Loeb, Christopher Purves, Gérard Lesne, Catherine Greuillet, Seminario Musicale, Il & Caroline Pelon
ALBUMLutoslawski: Works for Voice and OrchestraEdward Gardner, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Lucy Crowe, Toby Spence & Christopher Purves
Artist Biography
Bass-baritone Christopher Purves has performed operatic roles from the Baroque to contemporary repertory and has sung choral music at the Proms and other major venues. His background is unusual in that it includes a substantial career in popular music with the doo-wop/jazz vocal group Harvey & the Wallbangers. From 1997 onward, Purves had recurring roles with Britain's Opera North company. He performed John Tavener's 140-minute Apocalypse at the Proms with the City of London Sinfonia. In later years, Purves has essayed major operatic bass and baritone roles. He appeared in the 2010 film musical Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy). In the 2010s, he released two albums of Handel's bass arias with the early music ensemble Arcangelo and director Jonathan Cohen; the second volume appeared in 2018. He returned in 2023 on the recital My Soul, What Fear You? with pianist Simon Lepper.