Reviews: Bizet’s Carmen, Coliseum, London

June 3, 2015

“Eric Cutler’s Don José is musically and theatrically an even more impressive achievement. He moves more convincingly than many Josés from mummy’s boy to violent abuser, and he has the measure of the role’s many vocal challenges, too, passing the test of his act-two aria in style.” The Guardian ★★★★

“Cutler’s Don José, sung with great style and authority, finds a credible, intelligent path
between pathetic and psychopathic and the bloody endgame is brilliantly pulled off by both
singer-actors.” The Times

“Eric Cutler begins Don José’s Flower Song with affecting tenderness but delivers passion aplenty as the emotional temperature rises.” Evening Standard ★★★★

“Eric Cutler was certainly a great find. He is moving into more dramatic territory (with Fidelio and Lohengrin coming up) and his Don Jose had a rugged, rough-hewn quality to it but with a vitality too. This matched the character, a tongue-tied bloke who exploded when he could not communicate. The flower song was nicely expressive and eloquent, and Eric Cutler knows how to shade off his voice at the top when needed. He and Justina Gringyte really struck sparks off each other. It helped that he is tall and well built (taller than Justina Gringyte in heels, and she is not small)” Opera Today

“Eric Cutler ensured that Don José is no mummy’s boy, quickly revealing his pathological nature in his initial duet with Micaëla. The American tenor, making his ENO debut, has an attractive timbre, without being overly bright at the top. Credit to him for an excellently delivered Flower Song, sensitively observing Bizet’s dynamic markings.” Bachtrack ★★★

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