Published: July 31, 2009 10:26 pm         

Concert featuring dramatic tenor set for Sunday

TERRE HAUTE — A concert featuring dramatic tenor Paul Pitts is open to the public at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Terre Haute Bible Center on Evans Lane.

Pitts has sung more than 5,000 performances on seven continents to more than five billion people through radio, television, recordings and personal appearances.

He comes to Terre Haute Bible Center after a three-week engagement at Myers Dinner Theater in Hillsboro where he played Archibald in “The Secret Garden.” His 12-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, portrayed the lead character, Mary. (Their last performance is at 8 p.m. tonight at the dinner theater in Montgomery County.)

Pitts was invited to perform at the Vigo County church after a member of the congregation heard one of his CDs and recommended the singer to Pastor Jerry Nash. He said Sunday’s concert will feature about 15 selections, including contemporary songs such as Josh Groban’s popular “You Raise Me Up,” as well as more traditional inspirational songs such as “The Old Rugged Cross” and “His Eye is on the Sparrow.”

Pitts has received many honors and much acclaim during his singing career. He set a world record three years ago while performing in Rock Hill, S.C., when he became the first tenor in history to break a glass vase with his voice.

“I was doing a concert on Sunday morning and I was feeling pretty good,” Pitts said of that performance. “It was a fluke. That morning the condition was just right.”

But the highlight of his career, Pitts said, was performing in May 2008 as guest soloist in Jerusalem for the special television presentation of the 60th anniversary of Israel’s statehood. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was in the audience, and the special was viewed around the world in more than 200 countries.

Pitts has shared the stage with motivational speakers such as Zig Ziglar, John Maxwell, James Dobson, Charles Stanley and Admiral Joe Black. He has performed at the Crystal Cathedral, Alamo Dome, Amway Arena, Cypress Gardens and Opryland USA. He also has performed the national anthem for the Indiana Pacers, Orlando Magic, Charlotte Hornets, Orlando Solar Bears, Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros, and he has performed with several opera companies.

His next major engagement will be in the role of Samson in the Capital Opera performance of “Samson and Delilah” in Harrisburg, Pa.

Lisa Trigg can be reached at (812) 231-4254 or lisa.trigg@tribstar.com.