News & Press
‘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.
‘Roméo et Juliette’ in Zürich
News: Dec 15 2024
Nicolas Testé returns to the role of Frère Laurent in Gounod’s romantic Roméo et Juliette on December 31 and January 3, 8, 11, 17 and 26 for Opernhaus Zürich, under the baton of Timur Zangiev. Testé has been lauded for his “magnificent” (The Washington Post) portrayal of the well-meaning friar, and has sung the role at Washington National Opera, Beijing’s National Centre for the Performing Arts, and Teatro alla Scala.
Testé joins Ted Huffman’s production, performing alongside Julie Fuchs and Stephen Costello as the star-crossed lovers, Gregory Feldmann as Mercutio, Chao Deng as Le Comte Capulet, Svetlina Stoyanova as Stéphano, and Omer Kobiljak as Tybalt.
Frère Laurent at the Staatsoper Berlin
News & Press: Nov 11 2024 | Online Merker
So kommt es, dass von den Hauptrollen die einzige uneingeschränkt affirmativ zu beurteilende Leistung Nicolas Testé als Frère Laurent bietet.
“Aus dem Ensemble sticht ansonsten Nicolas Testé als kraftvoll klingender Frère Laurent positiv heraus”
‘Roméo et Juliette’ in Berlin
News: Nov 01 2024
This November 10, 13, 20, 22, and 24, Nicolas Testé returns to the role of Frère Laurent in Roméo et Juliette, a role he has previously sung for Teatro alla Scala, Washington National Opera, and the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing. Of his performance at WNO, Opera Gene said, “His beautiful voice and singing readily take command of the stage.” These performances also feature Elsa Dreisig, Amitai Pati, and Jaka Mihelač. Stefano Montanari conducts Mariame Clément’s production, which frames the star-crossed lovers as the young people of today, who find each other against all odds.
Norma at Palm Beach Opera
News & Press: Apr 06 2024
“As Oroveso, Norma’s father and leader of the Gauls, the bass-baritone Nicolas Testé sang with effortless authority and a dark vocal gleam. Clad in red and gold, carrying a staff, he was a convincing portrait of tribal leadership.”
South Florida Classical Review
“Bass-baritone Nicolas Testé was a cavernous voice in the role of Oroveso. His character made several proclamations during scenes and shared a paternal relationship with the character of Norma.”
Roméo et Juliette at Washington National Opera
News & Press: Nov 07 2023
“…I was most taken by bass Nicolas Testé, whose magnificent Frère Laurent made a potentially dull wedding quite captivating (doubly so his one-note description of Juliet’s deceptive poison), and who did impressive double-duty as the Duke of Verona.”
“French bass Nicolas Testé brought a puissant, refined elder presence to the roles of Frère Laurent… and the Duke of Verona.”
“Bass Nicolas Testé sang the roles for both the Duke of Verona and Frére Laurent. His beautiful voice and singing readily take command of the stage”
“Nicolas Testé as Frère Laurent… [was] superb in [his] respective role[s].”
“…Nicolas Testé’s comforting bass gave her partner in crime, Frere Laurent, a thoughtful authority.”