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 Browse through some of international baritone David   Wakeham's fantastic reviews from his critically acclaimed   performances at La Scala Milano, Teatro Massimo   Palermo, Theatre an der Wien, the Komische Oper Berlin,   Oper Leipzig, the Bayerische Staatsoper München, the   Staatsoper Stuttgart, Oper Bonn and Opera Australia in   major roles in the Czech, German and Italian repertoire 

 REVIEWS 

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 June 2022
STAATSOPER
UNTER DEN LINDEN

debut in the role of Der Pfleger des Orest. Under the baton of Maestro Thomas Guggeis.

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DAVID
WAKEHAM

NABUCCO - ENGLAND

DAVID WAKEHAM'S Nabucco, however, was memorable - his was assured, old fashioned, and stylish Verdi singing, and somehow he managed to inject seriousness into the role, despite being dressed as a circus ringmaster or as a lion.

 

Peter Reed, Opera UK

After the entrance as lion on a scooter, anything DAVID WAKEHAM'S Nabucco had to offer would have been an anticlimax, but his aria was one of the few pleasures of the evening.

Richard Fairman, Financial Times

The evening is salvaged by the raw energy of the music and Wakeham’s noble Verdian style.

Hugh Canning, The Sunday Times

RIGOLETTO - GERMANY

Die Premiere des Klassikers an der Behrenstraße sollte krönender Abschluss der Verdi-Wochen werden. Doch ohne DAVID WAKEHAM in der Titelpartie wäre sie zum Flopp geworden. Der Bariton sang sich in Berlin zum Star.

 

Von Dirk Krampitz, Berlin Kultur

WAGNER OPERA SPECTACULAR - 

AUSTRALIA

With the memory Bryn Terfel’s recent performance of ‘Wotan’s Farewell’ in Hamer Hall still reasonably fresh, it was inevitable that comparisons with DAVID WAKEHAM would be made, no matter how unfair. Nevertheless, despite the fact that Terfel’s immense vocal wattage puts just about every other potential Wotan in the shade, WAKEHAM'S vocal qualities are not dissimilar to Terfel’s in some ways. Although his middle register was occasionally over-ridden by the full orchestra, the beauty and gathered richness of his voice was evident in every note. Not surprisingly, given his operatic experience, he made an impressive Gurnemanz in the ‘Grail Scene’ from Parsifal.

 

Heather Leviston, Performing Arts Hub

NABUCCO - ATHENS

DAVID WAKEHAM was particularly outstanding in the role of Nabucco, especially for the firm, solid, clear and uncontracted formulation of his phrases in the aria. The hot and individual timbre of his voice, characterized the harmony and mellifluousness of his voice in all parts. It was a continuously enjoyable presentation.

 

Luciano Caplantzi

The British baritone played the role of a wonderful vocally balanced, melodramatic and slightly threatening Nabucco.

Panayioti Timoyanaki

DAVID WAKEHAM with the special timbre of his voice is a convincing dictator who reminds us with the costumes of his followers, a country

of an ex-socialist republic. But he sings with a polish and phonetic shiver until the very end.

Tassou Valavanindent

RIGOLETTO - GERMANY

Without DAVID WAKEHAM in the title role of Rigoletto, this production would have been a total flop. The baritone sang himself into stardom in Berlin: all critics agreed on this point. The premiere evening at the Komische Oper gave birth to a new star in the baritone DAVID WAKEHAM. He gave a polished performance in the title role. The public celebrated his success with a standing ovation, something not seen for some time at this opera house.

Welt am Sontag

DAVID WAKEHAM earned top honours in the title role....no hunchback he, but a big rugged Aussie with a big rugged voice that surges out of him with almost too much ease. He also takes top honours for his enunciation in the audience's native tongue.

Musical America.com

The father/daughter scenes in fact are amongst the strongest impressions, musically, in the production. This is above all due to DAVID WAKEHAM, a fool who is a credible figure, who can arouse empathy; he gave a thrilling dramatic performance, and was utterly convincing vocally as well, with an individual baritone voice which is full of character, of resonant warmth and has a richly substantial middle register.

Orpheus

DAVID WAKEHAM does have a fine baritone voice, equal to Verdi's wide ranging demands and capable of vocal painting on a broad palette.

Opera, U.K.

A wonderful Rigoletto ended the "Berlin Verdi Festival Season".  Outstanding in singing and acting was DAVID WAKEHAM in the title role of the jealous court jester Rigoletto.

Berliner Zeitung

The ugly fool would have remained on the fringe of events if the Australian Baritone DAVID WAKEHAM had not sung his way into the hearts of the opera public. He does this with conviction and beauty of vocal quality and yet so awe inspiring.

Berliner Kurier

It is true that DAVID WAKEHAM can sometimes look sinister and frightening and at the same time curls his mouth like "Mario Adorf", Germanys leading character actor.

Financial Times DE

Dynamically sumptuous in voice and moving in expression was DAVID WAKEHAM as Rigoletto.

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

The title role of Rigoletto was played by DAVID WAKEHAM, an expressive singer for the dramatic stage.

Der Tagesspeigel

In the title role of Rigoletto was David Wakeham hailed with ovations from the public.

Deutsche Press Agentur

David Wakeham presented a performance of overwhelming power. His vocal quality always intense but sometimes imbued with a tremulous quality, expressing a Rigoletto whose function as court jester was repulsive to him.

Ouveture Radio 3

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LA TRAVIATA - AUSTRALIA

DAVID WAKEHAM sang Germont with steel in his voice and interpreted Di Provensa with angry manipulation, which made his remorse at Violetta’s downfall even more telling.

Sunday Sun Herald

WAKEHAM was suitably patrician and imposing, and at times of conflict he took control in a way that was utterly believable.

Herald Sun

Verdi gives Germont, sung by DAVID WAKEHAM, music of a kind of dogged innocence that is wonderfully emphasised by WAKEHAM'S self-assured baritone voice. Violetta’s fierce love is never a match for Germont’s sanctimonious hypocrisy as portrayed by WAKEHAM.

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NABUCCO - AUSTRALIA

DAVID WAKEHAM sang the title role of Nabucco with a warm timbre and expressive voice.

The West Australian, Australia

WAKEHAM'S depiction of the crazed king who was struck down in a torrent of blood in the Temple of Baal was extraordinarily powerful. His singing was vocal acting of the highest quality and had a riveting intensity.

Opera-Opera

DAVID WAKEHAM'S Nabucco, the all-conquering Assyrian god-king, is impressive, perhaps even more so when his character goes mad.

STM Arts Editor, Jan Hallam

TRISTAN and ISOLDE - AUSTRALIA

A Wagnerian wonder..... DAVID WAKEHAM, as Tristan's friend Kurwenal, produced a stream of exquisite, velvet-mellow vocal sound.....

The West Australian, Australia

DAVID WAKEHAM'S Kurwenal was vocally impressive.

The Australian, Australia

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THE PEARL FISHERS - AUSTRALIA

A triumphant homecoming for fine baritone, DAVID WAKEHAM... But it was WAKEHAM who dominated every scene in which he appeared (which was most of the time), a stately figure moving easily and with a voice of individual character that gave depth to the sympathetic understanding he displayed in establishing a strong role.

Opera-Opera

As Zurga, DAVID WAKEHAM "revealed a kaleidoscopic tone that recalled the young Herman Prey, as delicate as gossamer, as stentorian as steel, and a commanding presence............a glowing star in the Australian operatic firmament."

 

The Australian

FALSTAFF - GERMANY

...What a feast; for once, to hear Sir John sung with rich, glorious, full striking singing. The Australian showed splendour and impressed with superlative top notes. Even more, his voice is sonorous and of individual timbre. He acted superbly in Andreas Homoki's humorous and turbulent production.

Orpheus

DON CARLO - FRANCE

"It is incontestable that DAVID WAKEHAM, through the use of his considerable vocal and acting resources, presented us with a Rodrigo of world class."

Presse Ocean, France

"Posa was portrayed by DAVID WAKEHAM who was remarkable in dynamics and phrasing. A real baritone whose voice was forward, well-focussed and flexible throughout the entire range. Unfortunately, the production did not permit the applause this singer deserved, especially at Posa's death."

concertonet.com, E.G. Souquet

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NABUCCO - SWITZERLAND

Which opera house, suffering under considerable financial pressure, is in the position to cast the role of Nabucco with such an exceptional baritone guest performer?

The opera in Bern has gained an acquisition of particularly special importance. DAVID WAKEHAM, in the role of Nabucco, is an absolute luxury. With his wonderful and outstanding voice, he envelops the aura of Nabucco in a lavish and elegant voice spectrum and the perfection of his aria is full of refinement and grief. He lends the character of Nabucco more gentle tones rather than giving us a Nabucco thirsting for revenge. The Australian baritone is a stylist par excellence. He is constantly in full control of his voice, a voice which is seductive and even eroticizing. But when the situation requires, he will withdraw, measure up and seek equilibrium with the orchestra. Sustained dynamic and fine shades of voice, articulation and expression show highly developed literary understanding coupled with an impressive presence on stage.

DAVID WAKEHAM portrays the character of Nabucco in an outstanding and stupendous way that has not been experienced since the performances of Piero Cappuccilli and Renato Bruson. He is the ideal successor!

Der neue Merker, Wien

CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA/PAGLIACCI - FRANCE

...The baritone David Wakeham showed great stage presence and character as Alfio...

Nantes, France

The new baritone, DAVID WAKEHAM (Tonio, Taddeo), has a fine voice and in this double role dominated his scenes...

Nantes, France

BLUEBEARD'S CASTLE - GERMANY

In the role of Bluebeard, DAVID WAKEHAM is excellently cast, both as an actor and singer.

 

Stuttgarter Zeitung, Germany

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TRISTAN and ISOLDE - GERMAY

 

Also very positive in our memory is the presentation of Kurwenal from DAVID WAKEHAM.

Nordbayerischer Kurier, Bayreuth, Germany

As DAVID WAKEHAM sang Kurwenal, our attention was drawn to the vocal quality and beauty of voice from this singer.

Nürnburger Zeitung, Germany

IL TROVATORE - GERMANY

For the role of Di Luna, DAVID WAKEHAM has not only the physical stature and security but also the vocal power and intensity required.

Volksblatt, Germany

DAVID WAKEHAM as Luna sang enthusiastically with his abundant, full, metallic baritone. The voice exhibited young sheen and evenness in all passages.

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LA TRAVIATA - GERMANY

DAVID WAKEHAM as Germont sang and acted with dignity and assurance.  Unlike many others, it was a privilege to hear this interpretation by this singing actor.

Volksblatt, Germany

In the action packed scene 2, the Australian DAVID WAKEHAM, as Germont, presented an interpretation combining both maturity and personality.

Dresdner Morgenpost, Germany

The Australian DAVID WAKEHAM, as Giorgio Germont, sang the role with a warm, sonorous baritone voice.

Leipziger Volkszeitung, Germany

The listner's ear was spoilt by DAVID WAKEHAM.  With his supple, warm timbered baritone voice, he sang Germont with subtle feeling, without spoiling the phrasing.

MACBETH - GERMANY

And it was a musically handsome achievement, with some excellent singing of the German text in the Komische Oper style, forward placement with every syllable accented equally.  The Australian DAVID WAKEHAM made a forceful Macbeth...

Opera, UK

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