Tenor Soloist in IN THEIR FOOTSTEPS

New York Philharmonic

“Tenor Russell Thomas brought his heroic, burnished sound to the impassioned lecture “Wrong Is Never Right” (and, later, to “Ingemisco,” from Verdi’s Requiem).”
–Zachary Woolfe, The New York Times

“Tenor Russell Thomas was in brilliant form in the “Ingemisco” from the Verdi Requiem, which Shirley sang under the baton of Leonard Bernstein in 1969.”
–F. Paul Driscoll, Opera News

“Budding spinto tenor Russell Thomas…sang an impressive “Ingemisco”. Thomas offered, besides the Verdi – in whose I masnadieri, Attila, and Simon Boccanegra he has scored successes – a clean, ringing-topped account of Remus’ sermon-like aria from Treemonisha, “Wrong is Never Right.” Thomas’ English diction is as distinct as that of Owens.”
–David Shengold, Classical Voice North America

“The unspoken obligation to include music associated with the African-American community didn't necessarily show everybody at their best. Tenor Thomas broke out of that mold with the "Ingemisco" from the Verdi Requiem – a concert highlight. The aria "Wrong Is Never Right" can seem preachy and endless, but wasn't on Wednesday, partly because…Thomas maintained dramatic continuity.”
–David Patrick Stearns, WQXR Operavore