Tito in LA CLEMENZA DI TITO

Salzburg Festival

"In the title role, Russell Thomas has gravitas and passion..."
–Shirley Apthorp, Financial Times

“Russell Thomas’ voice was rather dark and shadowed, almost a spinto, but with superb diaphragm support that allowed him to cover the passaggio firmly. It was also excellent with its combination of coloratura and clarity of articulation.”
–Agustín Blanco Bazàn, Mundo Clásico

“At the second performance in the run, the singers formed an ensemble of rare cohesion: Thomas’s penetrating tenor, which has lately acquired richness and heft, anchored the evening.”
–Alex Ross, New Yorker

“The cast is led by the American tenor Russell Thomas in the title role, who bears a clear resemblance to Nelson Mandela, emphasizing in his interpretation less the heroic than the vulnerable ruler, and who ultimately succumbs to the effects of the assassination attempt. The singer has to complete the entire second act in a hospital bed…His physical suffering manifests itself in existential singing - there are broken, tormented, dying tones, and the coloratura seems like painful convulsions. In the end, Tito tears the tubes from his veins and dies, his suicide following the poignant lament, 'Er hat mich mit Bitterkeit gesättigt'..."
–Bernd Hoppe, Operalounge

“Russell Thomas takes on the role of Titus (alias Nelson Mandela) with the necessary suave noble-mindedness and agility.”
–Emmanuel Dupuy, Diapason

“Russell Thomas, a commanding figure with a muscular voice, offered a fervent account of Tito’s 'Se all’impero'."
-George Loomis, Musical America

“The title role of Titus was strongly interpreted by Russell Thomas. His powerful, noble tenor was particularly convincing in dramatic moments.”
–Daniel Url, Bachtrack

“Russell Thomas is an imperial Tito with meticulous intonation; on his sickbed, he is able to combine treacherous coloratura with outbursts of pain."
–Hans-Klaus Jungheinrich, Frankfurter Rundschau

“Honesty and directness were common features of the accomplished vocal performances. Russell Thomas sang Tito with hulking grandeur, his robust tenor channeling the emperor’s deep humanity.”
–A.J. Goldman, Opera News

“Russell Thomas is fast emerging as a near-heroic tenor…”
–John Rockwell, Opera Magazine