“With palpable chemistry, gorgeous vocalism and full-on physical commitment to their passions, [Ryan and Fons] captured all the dramatic urgency of the score. Ryan’s silkily sung, hot-headed Nerone reserved the full spectacle for his cruelty for his sudden, shocking (and unscripted) murder of Octavia.” - Opera News
Read More“Brenton Ryan plays the sneering, contempt-laden Nerone to perfection, somehow imbuing the character with sympathetic graces even as he gleefully doles out punishment and cruelty.” - Tina Farmer
Read More“The ensemble features a litany of returning performers including Brenton Ryan as Nerone, a role in which he gives his every fiber to portraying as dastardly, sneaking, power mad oligarch whose unpleasant temperament is quelled when in the presence of his mistress. The beauty in Ryan’s performance here is that he gives audiences a character that is both morally bankrupt and vulnerable.” - Rob Levy
Read More“Heading a virtually flawless cast are mezzo-soprano Emily Fons, vocally and physically alluring as the scheming minx Poppea; and the commanding tenor Brenton Ryan as Nerone, whose firm, clear vocalism shines like a beacon even while the emperor and his consort-to-be are pawing each other on that ever-present table. Seldom is self-interested corruption on the operatic stage such delicious fun to behold.” - John von Rhein
Read More“Ryan and Miss Fons bring superb high voices to their roles. Their final duet, "Pur ti miro" is simply sublime. Miss Fons shows a lovely vocal warmth, and Ryan has astonishing mastery of dynamics.” - Steve Callahan
Read More“Her Nerone, tenor Benton Ryan, sang elegantly and made the character’s evolution from spoiled hedonist to overt sociopath thoroughly convincing.” - Sarah Bryan Miller
Read More“Ryan is simply terrific. With his youth and slicked-back hair, he may resemble Eric Trump more than his corpulent father, but his Nerone is no joke; the emperor is dangerous.” - Sarah Fenske
Read More“The lone debut belonged to tenor Brenton Ryan, whose turn as the painter Titorelli had real comic flair. “ - Sarah Bryan Miller
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