Brian Jagde on flawed characters and finding his voice (Bachtrack exclusive)
Brian Jagde sings with “tonal beauty” and “passion” in role debut as Maurizio in ‘Adriana Lecouvreur’ at The Royal Opera
“When I interviewed Brian Jagde a year or two back he described himself modestly as “fresh off the boat”. On this showing we should be offering him UK nationality. The young American’s voice has grown in power and tonal beauty even in the short time that’s elapsed since he sang Pinkerton here. Already a prodigious instrument, it has the potential for him to become one of the great modern tenors.”
Mark Valencia – What’s On Stage
“The American tenor Brian Jagde made a terrific role debut as the hero Maurizio. He has a pliant tone, pinging accuracy, stamina, shading and an astounding ability to make the voice grow throughout a phrase. What a voice. In 2010 Jonas Kaufmann sang the role, and this month has his own residency at the Barbican. So keep your ears on Jagde.”
Fiona Maddocks – The Guardian
“… the American tenor Brian Jagde (pronounced Jade) sported a handsome presence and beefy tenor with explosive high notes that will doubtless carry him far …”
Hugh Canning – The Times
“The soloists for this first revival are, by and large, extremely strong … Brian Jagde is on top form as Maurizio, revealing both expansiveness and control in his wonderful tenor sound.”
Sam Smith – Opera-Online
“Newcomers Brian Jagde and Ksenia Dudnikova were superb in this revival of David McVicar’s striking production … This is its first revival, and Gheorghiu’s return to the role of the Comédie Française actress for whom the boundaries between life and art become catastrophically blurred also marks the 25th anniversary of her Covent Garden debut. This time, however, she is paired with the US tenor Brian Jagde, strikingly cast as Adriana’s feckless lover, Maurizio … Jagde, full-on and thrillingly loud …”
Tim Ashley – The Guardian
“… Brian Jagde virile and plangent as her lover Maurizio…”
Rupert Christiansen – Telegraph
“On paper, Maurizio, Count of Saxony, is a rather unsympathetic character and will woo anyone who will be of advantage to him. The role was first sung by Enrico Caruso and although Brian Jagde perhaps would not compare himself to that legendary tenor, his singing was Italianate, clean and expressive. He has a secure stentorian tone and most significantly, oozes charisma and I would be interested to hear him sing Calaf. Jagde was so good – in what was a role debut – that he even could even make the Act III hokum about his war exploits ‘Il russo Mencikoff’ seem compelling.”
Jim Pritchard – Seen and Heard International
“… the power of Uzbekistan mezzo-soprano Ksenia Dudnikova as the Princesse de Bouillon and American tenor Brian Jagde as the caddish Count Maurizio. These two sang with huge power …”
William Harston – Express
“In his role debut as Maurizio, Brian Jagde was a total standout performance. An athletic, strapping Count, Jagde had all the virile charisma that actor-types love. His sound was a throaty, grounded tenor with unreal beauty, and he wisely chose a handful of moments to show almost impossible volume. With Gheorghiu, Jagde created an honest relationship between Maurizio and Adriana. They had chemistry and respect for each other, reminiscent of Tosca and Cavaradossi. The show truly seemed to go to Jagde; we can’t wait for our next chance to hear him.”
“Tenor Brian Jagde is a virile Maurizio …”
Clare Colvin – Express
“Brian Jagde is suitably vibrant and macho as her cheating lover Maurizio …”
David Woodling – The Jewish Chronicle
“As Adriana’s lover Maurizio Count of Saxony, source of the appalling jealousy that induces the princess her to kill the lovely actress, Brian Jagde sang with strength and passion, combining masculine clarity with quieter moments of reflection, and as the poor stage manager Michonnet who adores Adriana and acts almost as her father figure, Gerald Finley was remarkable. From his soliloquy in Act I to his later lovelorn state in Act IV he demonstrated a hugely sympathetic character, beautifully complementing the prima donna in both style and vocal interaction.”
“Maurizio is the American tenor Brian Jagde. His voice has all the Italian virility you could wish for, with heroic size and glamour … he made such a thrilling sound.”
Peter Reed – Classical Source
“Jagde as the heroic dreamboat Maurizio was suitably dashing … his Italianate tenor cries carried to the rafters without any issue. His voice is very good for that kind of thing and there’s a good deal of artistry there as well, which manifested itself in an ability to alternate dynamics and colour. The chemistry between him and Gheorghiu was believable.”
“… the tenor Brian Jagde pumping out weapons-grade high notes as their love interest Maurizio …”
Richard Bratby – The Spectator
“Given the audience’s bravos it was clear that they loved Brian Jagde’s Maurizio, whose voice could hit the back of the auditorium…”
Yvonne Lysandrou – Morning Star Online
“The design was sumptuous and handsome and in period and the four leading roles were stunningly sung. American tenor Brian Jagde was new to me and he was sensational.”
“Her” Maurizio, American tenor Brian Jagde who was in all of the performances of “Adriana” and, along with her and with Gheorghiu, was able to give the right emphasis to the character, with an excellent performance from the first to the last note.”
{Il “suo” Maurizio, il tenore americano Brian Jagde che le recite di “Adriana” le ha fatte tutte, con lei e con la Gheorghiu, ha saputo dare al personaggio il giusto risalto, con una eccellente prestazione dalla prima all’ultima nota.}
Fabio Albanese – operaeopera.com
“The tenor, Brian Jadge, had a beautiful, effortlessly big voice and a very pleasant presence. The sort of young(ish) singer whose name you want to memorise for future reference.”
–Shakespeare for Absolute Beginners
“For the tenor role of Maurizio, the Royal Opera has made an impressive find with Brian Jagde. He has a voice of astonishing projection and power, and he is able to convey all the emotion that the role requires … the sheer dramatic impact of his singing makes him a huge asset here. Definitely a name to watch.”
Gavin Dixon – The Arts Desk
“The American tenor Brian Jagde puts in a high-octane, handsome-voiced performance as Maurizio, Adriana’s lover …”
Hannah Nepil – Financial Times
“… the American tenor Brian Jagde as Maurizio … chisel-chinned swagger and thousand-yard top notes …”
Anna Picard – The Times
“… Jagde tackled the role of the dashing Maurizio with enthusiasm and improved steadily through the evening, at his best in the boisterous relation of his war heroics, “Il russo Mèncikoff”. On the softer side, he was effective in the tenderness of the closing duets as Adriana dies of poison.”
David Karlin – Bachtrack
“… American tenor Brian Jagde is boundlessly stentorian …”
George Hall – The Stage
“As Adriana’s aristocratic lover Maurizio, American tenor Brian Jagde looks and sounds quite handsome, singing lustily …”
Tully Potter – Daily Mail
“He has a thrilling instrument, which also took time to settle down … Jadge sang with a glorious evenness of tone across the range, and was not unstylish. Maurizio is, frankly, a bit of a boor and Jagde brought sheer commitment and thrilling tone to bear on making him bearable. In the Act One duet, there was a feeling of Jagde having the edge in the volume stakes, but by Act Four Jagde and Bassenz has moved to a more equitable partnership, making a spine-tingling conclusion. And Jagde’s Act Three solo, depicting his recent military victory, was suitably thrilling.”
Robert Hugill – Planet Hugill
“Brian Jagde, an American tenor with the ability to make his voice grow with astounding accuracy, superbly sings the wayward lover Maurizio … always providing a credible focus for the rivalry of the two women. Dramatically, the passionate love between him and Adriana is tinged with a light chill.”
Rivka Jacobson – Plays To See
Image: Catherine Ashmore / Royal Opera House