Jagde’s voice, with its coppery ring, seemingly effortless high notes and extraordinary lyric spin given its heft, cannot help but please, even in phrases where his character is most heartless. His palpable pain as he discovers what his callousness has wrought is a top-drawer effort by an artist who seeks to humanize his character.

“The afternoon’s most consistent element was provided by Brian Jagde in a terrific performance as the heartless naval officer Pinkerton. Aptly dashing and loathsome, Jagde sang with flexibility, heroic tone and clarion top notes from his entrance. Dramatically, the gifted American tenor also etched a more rounded characterization of the skeevy Pinkerton than most—conveying the Yankee bravado in Act I but also bringing a genuine sense of contrition and self-disgust at the devastation his selfish acts have wrought upon the innocent Butterfly (reflected vocally in Jagde’s bittersweet, impassioned “Addio, fiorito asil).

This was as complete a Pinkerton as one could ever hope to hear both vocally and dramatically …”
Lawrence A. Johnson – Chicago Classical Review
“Tenor Brian Jagde did not overplay his hand as seductive villain, looking longingly at Butterfly as he wooed her, desperately as he watched her downfall. Jagde produced radiant timbre from his opening aria, “Dovunque al mondo,” his voice ample in tone and focused in pitch.”
Howard Reich – Chicago Tribune
“The role of Pinkerton was brilliantly presented by world-renowned American tenor Brian Jagde, who has scored many major successes singing in Puccini’s works and is famous for his superb vocal skills and beautiful timbre. Jagde has earned acclaim in Italian spinto and dramatic-tenor repertoire, as his voice is able to handle large musical climaxes and possesses both lyric and dramatic qualities, which he brilliantly demonstrated portraying Pinkerton. Jagde has performed at leading opera houses throughout the world, and his return to Lyric Opera of Chicago was greatly anticipated by the lovers of his tremendous talent.”
Natalia Dagenhart – Patch.com
“As oppressor and all-around cad Lieutenant B.F. Pinkerton, Brian Jagde sings with the heroism that his spineless, unevolved character does not possess. Jagde’s voice, with its coppery ring, seemingly effortless high notes and extraordinary lyric spin given its heft, cannot help but please, even in phrases where his character is most heartless. His palpable pain as he discovers what his callousness has wrought is a top-drawer effort by an artist who seeks to humanize his character. The understanding and open-heartedness he displayed when the audience booed him at his solo curtain call proves him an artist of integrity, as well as mind-numbing ability.”
Aaron Hunt – New City Stage
“The vocal performances are solid across the board … Jagde likewise turns in a good vocal performance while his acting choices suit his character’s blustering immaturity perfectly.”
Bryson David Hoff – Chicago Musical Theatre
“Pinkerton (Brian Jagde) lifts his soaring voice to the rafters in praise of the era’s expression of U.S. might as he and other officers in his far-reaching Navy traveled the globe, occupying territories and exploring their bounty (including their women), without a care.”
Dwight Casimere – The Times Weekly
“The journey of Madama Butterfly is at turns incredibly sexy (the moment Jagde and Martinez share at the end of Act I inspires flutters of its own) and devastatingly heartbreaking (little Graham Macfarlane’s performance, even in its silence, tugs at the heartstrings), which is likely what makes it as timeless a production as any … both Jagde and Evans rise to meet the high bar Martinez sets, their respective tenor and baritone gorgeous complements to  her soprano. They both cut sharp figures in their period-appropriate tailored suits, and as the narrative stakes get ever higher, their performances evolve into dramatic depths worthy of the circumstances.”
Lisa Trifone – Third Coast Review
“Brian Jagde’s powerful tenor and Ana Maria Martinez’s delicate and expressively lyrical soprano were worth the slosh through the snow for Lyric Opera’s opening of “Madama Butterfly,” Thursday.”
Jodie Jacobs – Chicago Theater and Arts
“Brian Jagde is equally strong as B.F. Pinkerton … You have a crack cast and orchestra delivering this score masterfully.”
Suzanne Magnuson – Splash Magazines
“Vocally, tenor Brian Jagde (Pinkerton) and soprano Ana María Martínez (Cio-Cio-San) were in strong form … Jagde sang a beautiful Pinkerton. His Act III aria “Addio, fiorito asil” was especially moving, as was his trio in the same act with Sharpless and Suzuki. Here one sensed the regret of a vile coward. The customary boos – followed by the ovation – were much deserved.”
Michael Pecak – Schmopera
“Jagde was a fine Pinkerton and sings with real power …  he did a very fine job of moving the character from the swaggering selfishness of Act One to his remorseful Act Three.”
Henson Keys – Parterre.com

Photo Credit: Bill Cooper at Royal Opera House

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BWW Interview: Brian Jagde of MADAME BUTTERFLY at Lyric Opera of Chicago