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.”
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.”
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”
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.”
Kings and Queens of Opera Asia Tour
News & Press: May 07 2023 | The Straits Times
His richly burnished and stentorian voice shone in portrayals of Claudius (Ambroise Thomas’ Hamlet), Solomon (Charles Gounod’s Queen Of Sheba), Don Carlo (Giuseppe Verdi’s opera of the same title) and Prince Gremin (Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin)...
“Teste also had moments in the spotlight. His richly burnished and stentorian voice shone in portrayals of Claudius (Ambroise Thomas’ Hamlet), Solomon (Charles Gounod’s Queen Of Sheba), Don Carlo (Giuseppe Verdi’s opera of the same title) and Prince Gremin (Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin), demonstrating that his was no undercard act.”