Reviews
“Canadian bass-baritone Stephen Hegedus easily holds his own against Okulitch’s
bravura performance as Giovanni’s valet/sidekick — and witness —creating oceanic
undertows of subtext as he rails against, reveres, and finally, triumphantly wrests
power during the final brilliant image as his master perishes.”
“Hegedus, who moves well, impressed with his rendition of Colline’s moving little song about parting with his overcoat.”
“…bass-baritone Stephen Hegedus nails the comic patter and brings a charismatic wiliness to his purple-suited, vintage-motorcycle-driving con artist, Dulcamara.”
Bass-baritone Stephen Hegedus as the lovable old shyster, Dr. Dulcamara, came closest to fully realizing his role. All the requisite bravado, bluster and braggadocio were there, along with sure and fluid vocal command.
“Stephen Hegedus (who) gave one of the subtler, if not quietly pathological, Count Almaviva performances you’ll likely ever see, at once chilling as it was charming….offering flawless lyricism, flexibility and three-dimensional humanity.”
“Bass-baritone Stephen Hegedus is all-conquering as stormy lord of the manor, Count Almaviva. Relentlessly on target, blisteringly passionate, Hegedus delivers what to all appearances is a career-defining performance. My lady, forgive me (Contessa perdono), pleads Almaviva, his lechery finally unmasked. The duet with Rosina that follows, supercharged with hurt and regret, tears at our emotions. Hegedus captures his doomed character in all his frailty, helpless, frightened, his voice reduced almost to a whisper. A remarkable portrait from a remarkable artist.”
“Though Figaro and the Count are dressed in tight pants, as is OA’s wont, Douglas Williams and Stephen Hegedus are such good singing actors that they survive – nay, transcend – the OA tights unscathed.”
“Mr. Hegedus has always brought expressive range to his various and diverse roles….in Medea he is at home with the unique blend of acting and singing required of Baroque French opera specialization, bringing a complete command of vocal and movement gesture to this difficult role.”
“Stephen Hegedus is a powerful and captivating Créon, King of Corinth, where Medea and Jason seek refuge. In every appearance, he demands attention.”
“Hélène Guilmette est une parfaite Zerline, associée à un Stephen Hegedus (Masetto). L’ancien finaliste d’Operalia est toujours aussi impressionnant : son aplomb dans les récitatifs est admirable.”
“Bass-baritone Stephen Hegedus opened the poem with warmth and color.”
“The peasant couple of Zerlina and Masetto were nicely played by Hélène Guilmette (a clarion soprano) and bass-baritone Stephen Hegedus (spot-on as an actor and singer all night).”
“Baritone Stephen Hegedus’ Brander, a carouser with only one appearance, gave a sharp-edged, black song of the rat.”
“Hegedus’ bass-baritone packed power into phrases throughout his ample range, from tenor-level high notes while singing ‘Upon them hath the light shined’ to a floorboard-rattling low note on ‘and against his Anointed’.”
“The performances are ravishing. Hegedus’s rich, resonant baritone evokes a pastoral scene and a growing sense of disillusionment and despair…”
“…bass-baritone Stephen Hegedus was delightful as the poet, slurping his delivery, sometimes bellowing his lines.”
“…Stephen Hegedus est impeccable dans l’air de l’ivrogne de Fairy Queen..”
“In the all-Canadian quartet of soloists, Hegedus was the standout. This young singer possesses an instrument of rare beauty, majestic and commanding from the bottom of his range to the top, with infallible articulation and impeccable, organic phrasing.”
“…sung with breezy masculinity…”
“Bass-baritone Stephen Hegedus was notable among the newcomers…”
“The singing was excellent, with a standout Figaro in Stephen Hegedus….”
“Commendably, all the VO cast members make their contributions; in particular, Stephen Hegedus and Aaron Durand sing their character roles with panache.”
“Amid the smaller roles, Stephen Hegedus, as Colline, makes his goodbye ode to his winter coat (which he’s about to pawn for money) a truly standout solo.”
“Canadian bass-baritone Stephen Hegedus was a superb narrator with a strong and attractive voice never overpowered by the chorus.”
“Kalmar…urge(d) the chorus to enunciate and inflect in ways that set its repetitions apart from bass-baritone Stephen Hegedus’ admirably firm narration.”
“Stephen Hegedus made a most impressive Grant Park debut, the Canadian bass-baritone delivering powerful singing and crisp enunciation in his narrative role, easily rising over the top of the chorus in their many collaborative passages.”
“The best portrayal came especially from Stephen Hegedus (Albert) — assured, suave, and possessing a wider dynamic range than any other on stage that evening.”
“…bass-baritone soloist, Stephen Hegedus, sang with commanding lyricism.”
“…bass-baritone Stephen Hegedus barrelled through his solos with steely precision and engaging expression.”
“Canadian bass-baritone Stephen Hegedus made a fine Figaro. He sang and acted well and handled the comic business with panache.”
“Stephen Hegedus’s Guglielmo was vocally strong, and he made his dramatic points wittily yet without exaggeration.”
“…but the star of the show, as Don Alfonso, was Stephen Hegedus, who combined a striking, dynamic sound with a suave portrayal of the old philosopher. This Canadian bass-baritone sounds to me like a Don Giovanni of the near, rather than distant, future.”
“…he attracted considerable attention as a voice to watch.”
“…pétillante, lumineuse et fine…”