News & Press
Arkel at the Grand-Théâtre de Genève
News & Press: Oct 27 2025
“…most striking of them all Nicolas Testé as Arkel, whose rich, dark tones filled the stage, radiating kindness in an ambiguous world.”
“Nicolas Testé prête à Arkel une autorité qui repose sur une assise grave bien ancrée, un legato tenu sans lourdeur, et une articulation homogène sur tout l’ambitus. Les graves se posent avec naturel, la colonne d’air reste régulière, et si quelques rares notes extrêmes cherchent l’appui dans l’acte IV, l’intonation se stabilise aussitôt pour laisser la parole rayonner.”
‘Pelléas & Mélisande’ in Geneva
News: Oct 01 2025
On October 26, 28 and 30 and November 2 and 4, Nicolas Testé will sing King Arkel in Pelléas & Mélisande. The production brings together GTG Ballet director Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and associate artist Damien Jalet with legendary visual artist and performer Marina Abramović, finally reaching the audience at Place de Neuve.
Björn Bürger will play Pelléas, Marie Eriksmoen will be a fragile and tender Mélisande opposite Leigh Melrose’s powerful Golaud. Juraj Valčuha conducts.
Des Grieux at Opernhaus Zürich
News & Press: Sep 26 2025 | Opera Diary
In the role of the Comte des Grieux, Nicolas Testé was both dignified and emotionally restrained, a perfect embodiment of aristocratic authority. Yet in his duets with Manon and his son, moments of vulnerability and sorrow broke through his controlled exterior, adding unexpected emotional resonance. His presence gave weight to the generational and moral conflicts at the heart of the opera.
“Nicolas Testé, as the Count des Grieux, the father of Manon’s lover, possessed a smooth and well-projected bass, his interpretation conveying the requisite gravitas.”
“In the role of the Comte des Grieux, Nicolas Testé was both dignified and emotionally restrained, a perfect embodiment of aristocratic authority. Yet in his duets with Manon and his son, moments of vulnerability and sorrow broke through his controlled exterior, adding unexpected emotional resonance. His presence gave weight to the generational and moral conflicts at the heart of the opera.”
‘Manon’ in Zurich
News: Aug 15 2025
Returning to the Opernhaus Zürich this September, Nicolas Testé will portray Le Comte des Grieux in Manon, the opera that turned Jules Massenet into an overnight success of the Belle Époque. He’s joined by a star-studded cast including Lisette Oropesa in the title role, Benjamin Bernheim as the Chevalier des Grieux and Yannick Debus as Lescaut. Sesto Quatrini conducts the performances from September 24 until October 10.
‘Roméo et Juliette’ at Staatsoper Berlin
News & Press: May 10 2025
Nicolas Testé returns to the role of Frère Laurent in Gounod’s lush and romantic Roméo et Juliette on May 24 and 27 and June 21 at Staatsoper Berlin. Testé’s portrayal of the sympathetic friar has been seen on some of the world’s greatest stages, including Opernhaus Zürich, Beijing’s National Centre for the Performing Arts, Teatro alla Scala, and Washington National Opera, where his interpretation was praised as “magnificent” by The Washington Post.
Directed by Mariame Clément, this production focuses on the youth of the title characters, presenting them as a contemporary young couple who find each other against all odds. Led by conductor Stefano Montanari, Testé joins a fantastic cast, including Elsa Dreisig as Juliette, Amital Pati as Roméo, Jaka Mihelač as Mercutio, Johan Krogius as Tybalt, Ema Nikolovska as Stéphano, and Arttu Kataja as Capulet.
‘La Bohème’ at The Metropolitan Opera
News: Feb 21 2025
On March 5, 8, 13, 17, and 21, Nicolas Testé returns to The Metropolitan Opera as Colline in Franco Zeffirelli’s beloved production of Puccini’s La Bohème. Of his last performances of the role at The Met, his interpretation was lauded as “moving” and “effective” by New York Classical Review, and Operawire said, “As Colline, Nicolas Testé performed ‘Vecchia zimarra’ with a gentle touch. It’s a role the bass-baritone has sung at the Met before, and his approach changed my attitude toward the number, aiding my understanding of the significance of the character’s sacrifice.”
Testé joins a cast of all-star bohemians, with Kristina Mkhitaryan as the fragile Mimí, Brittany Renee as the flirtatious Musetta, Joseph Calleja as the poet Rodolfo, and Luca Micheletti as the painter Marcello. Alexander Soddy conducts.