Profile reviews
3Hrólfur Sæmundsson's baritone sounds velvety soft in the low and middle ranges, in the high register it gets a beautiful metallic shine... Then one knows what he is singing and why; and he also knows how to let his voice boom powerfully, and that in madness ugly tones can be necessary and effective. But also how beautiful and carrying his seamlessly integrated piano in his messa di voce is. That's just great singing.
The Icelandic baritone, Hrólfur Saemundsson offers all the registers of a companion of darkness in league with devilish powers, with his dark hued Intonation. He sings , however, with a line, never sounding artificial or metallic, but keeps his middle register balanced. The Icelander, almost a lyrical bel canto baritone, yet also possesses a natural and mighty power of voice. Thus he is a great fit for this multi-dimensional character.
Past Production Reviews
4Hrólfur Sæmundsson's baritone sounds velvety soft in the low and middle ranges, in the high register it gets a beautiful metallic shine... Then one knows what he is singing and why; and he also knows how to let his voice boom powerfully, and that in madness ugly tones can be necessary and effective. But also how beautiful and carrying his seamlessly integrated piano in his messa di voce is. That's just great singing.
Hrólfur Sæmundsson gives a scenically intense Macbeth with a wonderfully robust baritone. Christian Tschelebiew , with his wonderfully dark bass, is an equal partner as a general. Susanne Elmark is a highly dramatic Lady Macbeth, who always tends to be slightly acrimonious. But this is quite appropriate for the role of Lady Macbeth. Diego Silva is struggling as Macduff that evening: the voice doesn't carry, has hardly any body and tends towards unpleasantly strong vibrato. Robert Maszl reliably plays Malcolm. Eyrún Unnarsdóttir as Lady Macbeth's dame and Flurin Caduff as doctor/servant/murderer/herald complete the ensemble.
The Icelandic baritone, Hrólfur Saemundsson offers all the registers of a companion of darkness in league with devilish powers, with his dark hued Intonation. He sings , however, with a line, never sounding artificial or metallic, but keeps his middle register balanced. The Icelander, almost a lyrical bel canto baritone, yet also possesses a natural and mighty power of voice. Thus he is a great fit for this multi-dimensional character.
Icelandic baritone Hrólfur Sæmundsson is an inspired, vulnerable, ultimately pitiable Macbeth at the mercy of his lady. Touching in the lyrical passages with a middle register reminiscent of Renato Bruson in the same role.
