"His conflicted Roman emperor is poised, heroic and relaxed, with an extraordinary range that takes him from rich baritonal depths to full, thrilling top notes." Shirley Apthorp, Financial Times
"Missouri-born tenor Michael Spyres, who made his mark as Benvenuto Cellini at English National Opera, proves he is a master of Rossini’s vocal acrobatics as well as an excellent actor. His Aurelian is masterful, swaggering, confident, and with a ruthless glint in his eye." Clare Colvin, Sunday Express
"As Aureliano, Michael Spyres reigned over every line with his pliable spinto while maintaining an air of cool distance." Rebecca Schmid, Classical Voice North America
"The tenor who was supposed to sing Aureliano, Giovanni David, was what we might call a "baritenor," someone able to sing high "C's" and above, but also to plumb the baritone register. Today, we are very fortunate to have such a singer in Michael Spyres, the heroic "baritenor" from Missouri who can sing all of Aureliano's inspired music, and a daunting role it is. Spyres brought down the house, more than once; his music leaves no doubt that his character is forceful and courageous."
"Michael Spyres was excellent in the title role of the Roman emperor. He is one of these American tenors who have kept the most difficult Rossinian repertoire in life, performing like in this case a role that ranges from a baritonal low register to very high tenor notes. His vocal control and interpretative authority are admirable."
"Ottimo protagonista nelle vesti dell’imperatore romano è stato Michael Spyres, uno di quei tenori americani che hanno tenuto in vita il repertorio rossiniano più ostico, assolvendo come in questo caso una parte che spazia dal registro di baritono a quello acutissimo di tenore con un controllo dell’emissione e un’autorità interpretativa ammirevoli."
Silvia Poletti, Delteatro.it
"Reste, pour tirer le spectateur de sa torpeur, l'aplomb avec lequel Jessica Pratt et Michael Spyres partent à l'assaut de leur Himalaya vocal. (...) L'agilité et la richesse de l’ornementation attestent la maîtrise du style. La présence, altière, parachève la composition, confirmant la place qu’occupe aujourd'hui Michael Spyres dans ce répertoire sans pour autant convaincre de la pérennité scénique de l'ouvrage." Christophe Rizoud, ForumOpera.com
"Michael Spyres, one of the world's best tenors gave a virtuosic performance as Aureliano... ."
"Einer der derzeit besten Tenöre weltweit, Michael Spyres, gibt einen virtuosen Aureliano... ."
Robert Quitta, Der Neue Merker
"... his almost baritonal sound (he also ascended to a penetrating high D-flat though)... Michael Spyres is an exceptional vocal phenomenon who doesn't show off when playing with his vocal abilities. His acting and phrasing make him a magnetic Aureliano..."
"... Aureliano risponde variando di preferenza fra sonorità ctonie, quasi baritonali (non senza ascendere a un penetrante Re bemolle). Michael Spyres è un formidabile fenomeno vocale che non gigioneggia giocando con i suoi mezzi, ma recita e fraseggia un Aureliano magnetico, sicuro di sé, ammiccante, autorevole e sottile, un vanitoso e marziale Tito nero, ma anche ironico e irresistibile. Fa a gara con la Pratt nel dardeggiare colorature, accenti e sguardi e se lei, bella maestosa, sembra la reincarnazione dell’autentica storica Zenobia, solo che bionda e chiarissima d’incarnato, lui coglie al meglio e vivifica con intelligenza la figura sfuggente ma non inconsistente dell’imperatore rimodellato sui tratti del clemente Tito."
Roberta Pedrotti, L'ape musicale
"Missouri-born tenor Michael Spyres, who made his mark as Benvenuto Cellini at English National Opera, proves he is a master of Rossini’s vocal acrobatics as well as an excellent actor. His Aurelian is masterful, swaggering, confident, and with a ruthless glint in his eye." Clare Colvin, Sunday Express
"As Aureliano, Michael Spyres reigned over every line with his pliable spinto while maintaining an air of cool distance." Rebecca Schmid, Classical Voice North America
"The tenor who was supposed to sing Aureliano, Giovanni David, was what we might call a "baritenor," someone able to sing high "C's" and above, but also to plumb the baritone register. Today, we are very fortunate to have such a singer in Michael Spyres, the heroic "baritenor" from Missouri who can sing all of Aureliano's inspired music, and a daunting role it is. Spyres brought down the house, more than once; his music leaves no doubt that his character is forceful and courageous."
"Michael Spyres was excellent in the title role of the Roman emperor. He is one of these American tenors who have kept the most difficult Rossinian repertoire in life, performing like in this case a role that ranges from a baritonal low register to very high tenor notes. His vocal control and interpretative authority are admirable."
"Ottimo protagonista nelle vesti dell’imperatore romano è stato Michael Spyres, uno di quei tenori americani che hanno tenuto in vita il repertorio rossiniano più ostico, assolvendo come in questo caso una parte che spazia dal registro di baritono a quello acutissimo di tenore con un controllo dell’emissione e un’autorità interpretativa ammirevoli."
Silvia Poletti, Delteatro.it
"Reste, pour tirer le spectateur de sa torpeur, l'aplomb avec lequel Jessica Pratt et Michael Spyres partent à l'assaut de leur Himalaya vocal. (...) L'agilité et la richesse de l’ornementation attestent la maîtrise du style. La présence, altière, parachève la composition, confirmant la place qu’occupe aujourd'hui Michael Spyres dans ce répertoire sans pour autant convaincre de la pérennité scénique de l'ouvrage." Christophe Rizoud, ForumOpera.com
"Michael Spyres, one of the world's best tenors gave a virtuosic performance as Aureliano... ."
"Einer der derzeit besten Tenöre weltweit, Michael Spyres, gibt einen virtuosen Aureliano... ."
Robert Quitta, Der Neue Merker
"... his almost baritonal sound (he also ascended to a penetrating high D-flat though)... Michael Spyres is an exceptional vocal phenomenon who doesn't show off when playing with his vocal abilities. His acting and phrasing make him a magnetic Aureliano..."
"... Aureliano risponde variando di preferenza fra sonorità ctonie, quasi baritonali (non senza ascendere a un penetrante Re bemolle). Michael Spyres è un formidabile fenomeno vocale che non gigioneggia giocando con i suoi mezzi, ma recita e fraseggia un Aureliano magnetico, sicuro di sé, ammiccante, autorevole e sottile, un vanitoso e marziale Tito nero, ma anche ironico e irresistibile. Fa a gara con la Pratt nel dardeggiare colorature, accenti e sguardi e se lei, bella maestosa, sembra la reincarnazione dell’autentica storica Zenobia, solo che bionda e chiarissima d’incarnato, lui coglie al meglio e vivifica con intelligenza la figura sfuggente ma non inconsistente dell’imperatore rimodellato sui tratti del clemente Tito."
Roberta Pedrotti, L'ape musicale