Don Jose / Carmen. San Francisco Opera
1. SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE 4/12/2006 - Joshua Kosman
The San Francisco Opera's production of Bizet's Carmen has been spinning along very nicely since it opened at the War Memorial Opea House last month. All it needed, really, was a jolt of genuine eroticism.
That arrived Saturday night headed by two electrifyng performers; mezzo-soprano Kate Aldrich and tenor Stuart Skelton..........His singing was both heroic and lyrical, marked by ringing top notes that emerged with an unforced sweetness, and he crisply charted Jose's descent into murderous jealousy. The Act 2 "Flower Song" where so many tenors come to grief, sounded exquisite.
2. SAN FRANCISCO SENTINEL 28/11/2006 - Sean Martinfield
......the blonde and fair Mr Skelton owns a commanding and heroic set of pipes. Leaning towards the Wagnerian side of his spinto tenor, the native Australian includes in his repertoire the roles of Parsifal, Siegmund, Lohengrin and Erik. Given the colossal and god-like demands of such repertoire, it was something of a surprise to hear Mr Skelton waft the sweetest and most controlled of head tones throughout his luxurious "Flower Song". Maybe Carmen should take a second look!
Don Jose / Carmen Opera Australia, Sydney
1. OPERA-OPERA MAGAZINE 09/ 2002 -Ken Healey
.....A Don Jose of already established merit from Stuart Skelton with singing and acting at a very high level of attainment. He is the first tenor I have heard who can genuinely sing the whole of the climatic phrase of the Flower Song up to the B flat softly without any ugly change of register, and the final scene was a triumph.
2. WENTWORTH COURIER 09/2002 -Graham Harris
.....As Don Jose, Stuart Skelton's singing and acting contributions were outstanding....he gave a splendid performance.
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