Florestan in FIDELIO

Cincinnati Opera

“As Florestan, the superb Russell Thomas held nothing back in his big aria, his clarion tenor rising inexorably to the desperate cry of “Freiheit,” truly a man in extremis.”
–Heidi Waleson, Wall Street Journal

"Though he has made several Cincinnati appearances, the fine singer Russell Thomas was unexpectedly commanding in the role of Florestan on Friday night. Where many a tenor comes to grief in this music, Thomas shone with a clarion top voice, especially in his intelligent delivery of his 'Gott, Welch' Dunkel hier!'"
–Rafael De Acha, Seen and Heard International

"Russell Thomas was an excellent vocal match in the role of the wrongfully imprisoned Florestan. He unleashed a tenor of formidable power as he cried out 'Gott!', singing like a force of nature before collapsing into a fetal position on the prison floor."
–Janelle Gelfand, Cincinnati Enquirer

"[Goerke's] thrilling soprano blended well with the soaring tenor of Russell Thomas as Florestan, whose appearance opening Act 2 had all the heroism and pathos one could want."
–Jay Harvey, Upstage