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Acclaim for Hampson’s performance of ‘The Wound Dresser’ with the San Francisco Symphony

“Baritone Thomas Hampson was an ideal soloist, singing with oaken tone and precise phrasing while conferring dignity and restraint on Whitman’s text.”

Georgia Rowe – The Mercury News

“As the night’s gravitational center, Adams’s dark tones undulated and shimmered in a sensitive reading by baritone Thomas Hampson. He underlined the poet’s words with precise diction, graceful legato, and burnished tone rolling out, emphasizing the long line. The Wound-Dresser pierces hearts with its detailed depiction of a male nurse tending to Civil War soldiers, who are missing limbs and dying from horrendous injuries.”

Harvey Steiman – Seen and Heard International

“The concert also brought baritone Thomas Hampson (the original barihunk) onstage to sing John Adams’ setting of Walt Whitman’s The Wound Dresser. Written at a time when Adams was grieving the loss of his father to Alzheimer’s and responding to friends in San Francisco traumatized by AIDS, the somber and exquisitely tender work packs a quiet and deeply emotional punch. There wasn’t a dry eye around as the intensely focused soloist declaimed the final gut-wrenching words, “Many a soldier’s kiss dwells on these bearded lips.” Adams himself was in attendance. We hope the warmth of the ovation expressed our sincere gratitude and awareness of his remarkable work.”

Philip Campbell – Bay Area Reporter

“. . . a wealth of vocal tone burnished to a rich mahogany, as well as the seamless legato and impeccable diction to make Whitman’s words tell. The sheer sensuality and vigor of his singing amounted to their own reward.”

Joshua Kosman – SFGate