David Walker

• Countertenor

Reviews

David Walker press reviews

Lichas in Hercules with Chicago Music of the Baroque

Opera News Online, December, 2008

“Countertenor David Walker fielded a mellifluous Lichas.”
Soloist in MESSIAH with Richmond (VA) Symphony Orchestra

Times-Dispatch (Virginia), December 7, 2008

“Countertenor David Walker…has a wonderful voice quality.”

Title role in GIULIO CESARE with Kansas City Lyric Opera

The Kansas City Star, November 11, 2008

“Countertenor David Walker, in the title role, brings an impressive amount of experience in baroque roles in general and Handel roles in particular. His recent credits include Handelian operas at the Metropolitan Opera and New York City Opera.  His rapid runs were handled deftly…(and)...he was both moving and convincing with his lengthy accompanied recitative on the demise of Pompey.“

PresentMagazine.com, November 9, 2008

“Walker … unleashed the prowess and agility for which a capable countertenor is known. Caesar’s poignant accompanied recitative “extolling the spirit of Pompey” began a sequence that demonstrated Walker was… settling into the dramatic personage, his more powerful falsetto revealed. Walker’s experience in theater shines here, and he gives Caesar a profound and credible depth. Caesar’s interruption of Lydia’s three-part V’adoro pupille was expertly fashioned by Handel and magically executed here; it was clear that Caesar simply had to react to Lydia’s spellbinding song and no amount of operatic convention could stop him. The seamlessness with which Walker acted this moment was admirable. Walker (was) at (his) best during scenes of triumph.”

The Angel in TOBIAS AND THE ANGEL with Opera Vivente

The Baltimore Sun, February 29, 2008

“The cast includes some remarkably communicative singers, among them the countertenor David Walker…”

Ionarts.com (Online Opera review), March 2008

“Opera Vivente’s casting of the countertenor David Walker, who has earned an international reputation for Dove’s Refugee in FLIGHT and many Baroque roles, was a brilliant coup.  He was in splendid voice and gave a subtly acted performance, angelic by its golden-faced but understated otherworldliness.”

The Refugee in FLIGHT with Pittsburgh Opera

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, January 28, 2008

“The Refugee (was) poignantly acted and superbly sung by guest countertenor David Walker.”

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, January 29, 2008

“The composer’s choice of countertenor for the role of the Refugee was a bold one – and amply vindicated by David Walker’s riveting performance.  Walker shows the emotional power of the countertenor voice, and has a finely nuanced portrayal of a pathetic figure who is part soothsayer and beggar but with many other human dimensions.”

Holofernes in JUDITHA TRIUMPHANS with Pinchgut Opera

The Sydney Morning Herald, December 7, 2007

“The countertenor David Walker, who plays Holofernes, has magnetic stage presence (and) is as impressive vocally.”

The Australian, December 7, 2007

“American countertenor David Walker was compelling as the conquering Assyrian general Holofernes.  Vocally firm and supple, his singing impressed with its penetrating clarity and tonal variety.  Walker was convincing as a psychotic sadist…”

Opera Now (UK), Feb/March 2008

“The barbaric Assyrian general Holofernes, (was) brilliantly portrayed by a strutting and arrogant David Walker, a countertenor of real quality and projection, (while) oozing the charm of a sexual predator…”

Opera Now (Australia), January2008

"The decision to cast countertenor David Walker as Holofernes added considerable verisimilitude.  For his part, Walker was triumphant in making Holofernes into a thoroughly credible amalgam of ferocious warrior and vulnerable lover:  his countertenor is strong and musical, and he uses it with great skill."

The Opera Critic (Australian online review), December 7, 2007

"The clear penetrating voice of David Walker is remarkably even across its range for a countertenor, with sustained low notes and flexible on the runs."

Ottone in AGRIPPINA with New York City Opera

The New York Times, October 16, 2007

“The best and most consistent singer in the production is David Walker, the countertenor who portrays Otho (Ottone).  His sound is strong and resilient, and his subtle comic sense was (very) good…”

The New York Post, October 16, 2007

“Countertenor David Walker was in good voice as Ottone.”

Opera News Online, January 2008

“Once in a while a singer was allowed to deliver an aria in a straight forward and expressive manner, (and) experienced City Opera Handelian David Walker sang Ottone’s soliloquies with total artistic command.”

Title role in FLAVIO with New York City Opera

The New York Times, April 6, 2007

“Mr. Walker made a fine effect reprising the title role of the foppish, foolish king:  both funny and flashy, with some impressive singing.”

The Los Angeles Times, April 11, 2007

“David Walker…proved a first-rate FLAVIO.”

Opera News Online, July 2007

“Happily, David Walker regards his male alto-hood as a normal state, rather than a freak show, and his stylish singing perfectly complemented a humorous, knowing characterization of the charming Flavio.”

Opera Today, April 15, 2007

“David Walker was returning to the title role, and he handled the mood changes deftly all the while singing a massive range of notes.”