|
Press Quotes
Alfredo in La traviata at Opera Southwest
March 25, 2011, ABQ Journal
"Chad A. Johnson as Alfredo Germont, a young aristocrat and Violetta's lover, lends his smooth, ardent tenor to the part. The voice rises to its full strength in his second act exclamation of love, "De' miei bollenti spiriti" (My passionate spirit). That spirit permeates his entire performance, as his denunciation of Violetta becomes all the more bitter. Given the difficulty, opera roles must always be cast for vocal ability and temperament. That must necessarily be far and away the primary criterion. But a ravishing Violetta and a dashing Alfredo, as are Hill and Johnson, can only add to the credibility of the characters. The romance here is palpable."
The Essential Rachmaninov at the Kennedy Center
November 23, 2010, Washington Post
"American tenor Chad A. Johnson sounded idiomatically at home in the varied clusters of art songs, scaling their often athletically high-lying writing with a very Russian blend of plaintive and stentorian tone and the requisite yearning sob in the voice. "
Frederik in The Pirates of Penzance at Lyric Opera Kansas City
April 27, 2009, The Independant
"Chad A. Johnson as Frederic, the apprentice pirate, possesses a solid tenor that was consistent in all its ranges. His elegant stage movements were whimsical and assured without striking that “look-at-me-I’m-the-tenor” stance."
Apr. 26, 2009, The Kansas City Star
"As Frederic, tenor Chad A. Johnson delivers a delightfully broad, physical performance, perfectly capturing the inner conflicts of a self-described "slave to duty."
Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni at New Orleans Opera
November, 15, 2008, Theodore P. Mahne, The Times-Picayune
"As Donna Anna and Don Ottavio, soprano Juliana Di Giacomo and tenor Chad A. Johnson were well paired, each with strong, smooth voices. His aria, "Il mio tesoro," was particularly lovely, full of rich embellishments."
Candide in Candide at Lyric Opera San Diego
September, 28, 2008, San Diego.com
"As Candide, handsome, young tenor Chad A. Johnson ascends into his highest vocal register with complete confidence and a burnished, ringing tone, and his judicious blend of bravado and naiveté suits his role perfectly."
Paolino in Il matrimonio segreto at Brooklyn Academy of Music
May 30, 2008, Anthony Tommasini, New York Times
"The opening duet for Paolino (Chad A. Johnson, a boyish and sweet-voiced tenor) and Carolina (the lovely, warm-toned soprano Heidi Stober) is tender and lyrically beguiling."
Alfredo in La Traviata at Mobile Opera
October 25, 2007, Thomas B. Harrison, Mobile Press-Register
"Johnson has a clarity and range beyond his years, and his third-act entrance in which Alfredo and the dying Violetta are reunited is tinged with the frenzy of mad love. Headstrong, compulsive and callow, he realizes too late the magnitude of his loss."
Ferrando in Cosi fan tutte at Tanglewood Music Center
August 14, 2007, Judith Malafronte, Opera News
:...the excellent tenor Chad A. Johnson provided some deeply felt moments as his Ferrando struggled to stay in the game, and all of his arias rang true."
Ferrando in Cosi fan tutte at Connecticut Opera
March 11, 2007, Michael Clive, Republican-American
"As Ferrando, Chad A. Johnson faced an equally tough task, though typically not a star-making one. His role lies cruelly high for most tenors; nobody sings it without strain. But Johnson sang with style and intelligence and equally important looked like he was enjoying himself in the process.
As his best pal and romantic rival Guglielmo, Christopher Schaldenbrand was Johnson's perfect sparring partner: tall, with the dark good looks to compete with a blond hunk, and a warm baritone voice to blend with Johnson's bright tenor sound."
Camille inThe Merry Widow at Lyric Opera San Diego
October, 15, 2006, Charlene Baldridge, La Jolla Village Voice
"In Act II's "Love in My Heart" duet, this pair has some of the operetta's most beautiful music, especially as Camille pleads, "Come to the arbour, dear." Johnson nails the number, his effortless tenor assured and glorious."
October 13, 2006, Michael L. Greenwald, UNION-TRIBUNE
"Later, Johnson's powerful tenor, which handled the demanding top notes bravely, melded with (Laura) Portune's soprano, and the two seemed transported into a Verdi opera."
The Pirates of Penzance at Glimmerglass Opera
July 09, 2006, Chuck Klaus, The Post-Standard
"Chad A. Johnson elevates the lead character of Frederic not only with a clarion tenor voice, but also great comic skill and a surprisingly deft sense of physical comedy."
July 19, 2006 Ithaca Times
"Her (Megan Monahan) tenor partner was the stalwart Chad A. Johnson as Frederic whose spoken delivery was as good as his singing. Both have beautiful voices, and their parting duet was especially moving."
August 8, 2006, Robert Levine, ClassicsToday.com
"Baby-faced Chad A. Johnson sang Frederic with style, crisp tone and ideal G&S dumb enthusiasm;"
Alfred in Die fledermaus at Sarasota Opera
March 9, 2006, June LaBell, Long Boat Observer
Chad A. Johnson as Alfred, Rosalinda's former lover who makes a move on her the instant her husband is out the door, has a shining light tenor that melts more than Rosalinda's heart."
March 15, 2006, Chip Ludlow, Venice Gondolier Sun
"Chad A. Johnson as Alfred has a wonderful buoyant tenor which floats effortlessly through the window in the opening scene. As he pretends to be Gabriel later in the act the audience is highly amused by his adventurous flirtations with his former mistress."
Alfredo in La traviata at Spokane-Coeur d'Alene Opera
May, 7 2006, Spokesman Review
The male leads were impressive, as well. Chad A. Johnson brings a nicely ringing tenor and youthful good looks to the part of Alfredo...his character of voice makes him well suited for the part."
Handel's Messiah with the San Diego Chamber Orchestra & Master Chorale
Dec, 16 2005 SanDiego.com
Really, it was tenor Chad Johnson who impressed the most with his strongly rendered introductory recitative, “Comfort ye my people,” and the way he ended the accompanying aria with such a confident flourish.
Count Tassilo in Countess Maritza at Lyric Opera San Diego
November 14, 2005, San Diego Union Tribune
“The real surprise came with Chad A. Johnson as the count-in-disguise Tassilo. He's a lovely lyric tenor with a perfect operetta voice – sweet, light, pure and, even in the highest reaches, warm. He's adorable, too, with Leonardo Di Caprio good looks and a sense of humor. He brought a wonderfully self-mocking swagger to the repeated refrains of his sentimental "Play Gypsy," complete with a strolling violinist.
Paired with Megan Weston as his sister Lisa, the young couple delivered a big share of the evening's vocal pyrotechnics and feeling”.
November 12, 2005, SanDiego.com
“…handsome young tenor Chad A. Johnson walked away with the show as Count Tassilo. In possession of a lovely, light lyric voice…He is entirely comfortable with being a romantic lead and I can imagine him being much in demand”.
Arthur in Lucie de Lammermoor at Glimmerglass Opera
July 29, 2005, Opera Japonica/Reports
“...Chad A. Johnson added much to the success of the performance…Johnson sang the part of Arthur with well produced light tones.”
Landesman, Ithaca Journal
“The Arthur of “Lucie” is a more sympathetic, three-dimensional suitor than the Arturo of “Lucia” ...Chad A. Johnson's leggiero tenor was vocally and dramatically convincing in the role.”
Slim in Paul Bunyan at Florida Grand Opera
January 13, 2005, Miami New Times
"Chad Johnson clearly enjoyed his star turn as Hot Biscuit Slim, soared musically, relished the words, and more than justified the cowboy's getting the girl. "
|
