P R E S S |
Schaunard | La Boheme, Puccini | Welsh National Opera
“A note to casting directors looking for a new Don Giovanni. Look no further than Benson Wilson who plays the role of the flamboyantly dressed Schaunard (the musician whose temporary success helps to feed his cold and starving friends in the opera). Wilson, who hails from New Zealand and has Samoan heritage, swans into La Boheme with an entrance worthy of Mozart’s Don Giovanni. His lush black coat flows around him like a cloak, and he moves like a lord of the manor, all regal and in command. His striking presence, and his nuanced vocal and dramatic abilities, mark him out as a talent to keep an eye on in future opera productions. His mannerisms in the emotionally devastating climax of the opera reveals Wilson’s attention to detail as he makes the audience feel the grief that begins to seize his heart as he witnesses tragedy engulf Rodolpho and Mimi” Rangzeb Hussain | iambirmingham.co.uk | November 2022 Friedrich Bhaer | Little Women, Mark Adamo | Opera Holland Park “…out of nowhere, Benson Wilson gets to shake this whole show up in Act two… with a gorgeously rich, seductive, and elegant baritone that elevates the whole score and creates, for me, this opera’s pinnacle. Wilson’s imposing stature and certitude lend much weight to his stage presence” Mark Hardy | Operawire.com | July 2022 “baritone Benson Wilson’s beautiful rendering of Goethe’s “Kennst du das Land” is the highlight of the evening. Claire Colvin | reviewsgate.com | August 2022 ”Much has been said about newcomer Samoan baritone, Benson Wilson, winner of the 64th Kathleen Ferrier Award, who sang the part of Friedrich Bhaer, the man Jo will eventually take notice of. The caressing tones he employs singing ‘Kennst du das Land’ from Goethe’s poem, melt Jo’s hardened heart. The audience were transfixed by him on the night I attended, as I was, when I saw him sing Guglielmo in Cosi fan tutte this year at ENO” KH | artmuselondon.com | August 2022 Frank/Fritz | Die Tote Stadt, Korngold | Longborough Festival Opera “Benson Wilson a notably mellifluous baritone” David Kalrin | backtrack.com | June 2022 “Benson Wilson as Frank showing lyrical movement in his sub-role as Pierrot, this was a strong performance.” Mark Roman | TheArticle.com | June 2022 ”Benson Wilson with his secure and brilliant baritone, is outstanding as Frank and… also plays the PIerrot Fritz, with his performance of “Mein Sehnen, Mein Wähnen” being especially moving.” Sam Smith | musicOMH.com | June 2022 Guglielmo | Cosi Fan Tutte | English National Opera “Wilson was consistently excellent, his voice honeyed and flexible, with a lovely “Donne mie” Colin Clarke | Seen and Heard International | March 2022 “Benson Wilson asserts his tremendous baritone to excellent effect as he gives a convincing portrayal of a Guglielmo who thinks rather too much of himself..” Sam Smith | opera-online.com | March 2022 ”Benson Wilson as Guglielmo impressed with his suave, sensual baritone” KH | artmuselondon.com | March 2022 Baritone Soloist | In Terra Pax, Gerald FInzi | BBC Symphony Orchestra “Benson Wilson, though, had clearly reserved some of his Christmas treats for everyone, as he delivered the part with a voice that was silky smooth, and honey rich: a true delight to hear against the orchestra's warm string tone and the chorus' Barry Creasy | MusicOMH.com | December 2021 |