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REVIEWS
"Artistic
director Robert Lyall outdid himself with
the casting of versatile actors and gutsy
singers. Mark Nicolson as the giant, Lennie,
and Michael Dean as his companion and caretaker,
George, were superb as a pair. Nicolson,
tall and husky, plays childlike innocence
perfectly, cowering when in trouble, earnestly
imitating George's gestures, tuning his
friend out when he's "getting hell."
Lashing out in bewilderment or in remorse,
as he does more than once, his steely tenor
came to the fore."
THE GRAND RAPIDS PRESS
"The honeyed tones of tenor Mark Nicolson,
as Radamès, never disappointed. 'Celeste
Aida' was heavenly. His performance throughout
was ardent, lyrical, and memorable. Listening
to him spin out phrase after beautiful phrase
was a real pleasure."
PEORIA JOURNAL STAR
"The Gvidon (LEGEND OF THE TSAR
SALTAN) was Mark Nicolson, a promising 'Jugendlicher
Heldentenor' (LOHENGRIN and Max in DER
FREISCHÜTZ) equipped with both natural
endowment and honest musical instinct."
Andrew Porter - THE NEW YORKER
"Mark Nicolson's Cavaradossi was more
than credible, and his singing gave a passionate
dimension to his character...... An exemplary
group of singers, both musically and dramatically."
OPERA CANADA
"American tenor, Mark Nicolson (Cavaradossi),
impressed with the sheer power of his voice,
making light work of what can be a difficult
acoustic. His acting was convincing and
his musicality superb, particularly in the
aria 'E lucevan le stelle'."
CHRISTCHURCH STAR
"Mark Nicolson sang the high dramatic
role of the self-serving Pirro strongly."
OPERA CANADA
"Mark Nicolson was a wonderful Cavaradossi.
None of the buccaneer hero here. Cavaradossi
is a hero of muted emotions. His sensuality
and sensitivity are brilliantly depicted...
Major and Nicolson appear to be in close
professional harmony. Their voices - Major's
rich, seductive soprano and Nicolson's burnished
golden tenor - weave and dart around each
other like dragonflies."
THE PRESS (Christchurch, New Zealand)
"Mark Nicolson and Margaret Jane Wray
as the Male and Female Chorus (RAPE OF
LUCRETIA) authority and anchored the
action...they were totally in command, both
musically and in clarity of diction."
OPERA NEWS and OPERA CANADA
"The proud self-absorbed Pirro (ERMIONE),
majestically portrayed by Mark Nicolson,
was sung effortlessly."
OPERA NEWS
"We have saved for the end, the tenor
Mark Nicolson, because he had a very special
place in the concert. He made a huge impact
on the audience with his vocal technique
and his convincing interpretive manner,
showing a great deal of quality. Nicolson
uses his voice in an extraordinary way,
singing through his registration with truth.
AN ARTIST."
EL PORVENIR (Monterrey, Mexico)
"Mark Nicolson gave a surpassing performance.
With charm and emotion, he amazed the audience
without apparent effort, breezing through
the music with admirable breath control.
He has impeccable German diction and above
all, a refined taste in singing...His remarkable
use of mezza-voce and spinning top range
was thrilling!
EL NORTE (Monterrey, Mexico)
"Mark Nicolson could spin honey with
his voice as the Male Chorus (RAPE OF
LUCRETIA)."
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
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