Sacro & Profano
Sacro & Profano, a captivating recital that brings together baritone Massimo Modoni and acclaimed organist Jeremiah Stephenson in an exploration of the dramatic contrasts within operatic and oratorio repertoire, featuring the organ as both a liturgical instrument and a powerful orchestral force.
The evening will showcase sacred Romantic Italian masterpieces, including excerpts from Mascagni’s Messa di Gloria, Rossini’s and Petite Messe Solennelle, alongside Puccini's sacred works. These profound pieces will be juxtaposed with the dark and dramatic arias of the Italian baritone repertoire, including the formidable antagonists of Italian opera: Scarpia (Tosca), Renato (Un ballo in maschera), Jago (Otello), and Tonio (i Pagliacci).
This recital delves into the duality of the baritone voice, at once a herald of the sacred and a vessel for the monstrous, while also reimagining the organ’s role beyond the church, as an orchestral alternative capable of unparalleled depth and power.
Jeremiah Stephenson
Jeremiah’s recent performances have been described by concert organisers as “played with verve, astonishing accuracy and brilliant virtuosity” and creating a “real warmth of feeling ..due to his easy, enthusiastic and cheerful nature”.
Known for engaging diverse audiences with a repertoire which spans five centuries, Jeremiah maintains a schedule of international concerts with performance invitations across Europe, Scandinavia, North America and Australia. Recent and upcoming fixtures include recitals at Uppsala and Vasterås Cathedrals, Oslo Cathedral, St James King Street (Sidney), Sées Cathedral (Normandy), the Church of the Advent Boston and Trinity Church Worcester (MA), St Luke’s Episcopal Church (Texas), St Matthew Festival Anykščiai (Lithuania) and Janačeck May Festival (Czechia), Rocamadour Festival (France) and the Sonnenorgel series in Görlitz (Germany).
In addition to his well researched programmes and audience rapport, Jeremiah’s passion for bringing new audiences to the organ is evidenced in the innovative work he does as part of the music department at St Paul’s Cathedral, devising events and workshops designed to introduce children to the organ. Jeremiah also holds the post of Associate Director of Music at All Saints Margaret Street where he plays a prominent role in maintaining and developing its strong Anglo-Catholic musical tradition.
Jeremiah’s playing has been broadcast on television and radio in the UK, France and the Czech Republic, where in 2016 he won first prize in the Petr Eben International Organ Competition. During this time, he was completing his full time studies at Toulouse Conservatoire with Michel Bouvard, Jan Willem Jansen and Philippe Lefebvre, supported by the Nicholas Danby Trust. This followed two years of study with Susan Landale at the Royal Academy of Music, graduating with a first class Master of Music degree and several prizes.
Jeremiah holds an undergraduate degree in Natural Sciences from the University of Cambridge, graduating with a special prize recognising outstanding services to Queens’ College in his role as Organ Scholar. He returns regularly to the University to teach the current cohort of Scholars and is increasingly in demand for coaching diploma examination and competition entrants.
Jeremiah recently completed the Certificate Programme in Injury Preventative Keyboard Technique at Salem College, studying piano literature and pedagogy with Barbara Lister-Sink, and incorporates this particular interest in the biomechanical fundamentals of technique into his performing and teaching practice. He has a proven track record of helping students overcome technical difficulties and rehabilitate playing-related pain and injury, and has given masterclasses on this subject for the University of Oxford and Leeds International Organ Festival.