Reviews
Songs of longing, desire and world-weariness pleased the ears of the many listeners, as James McLean put all of the qualities of his well known beautiful Mozart voice on the line: the light flexible command, the clean purity of tone as well as the cutting power of this dramatic singer. Nor did he deny his stage origins, whether through his facial expressions and expressive clarity or through the intensity with which he brought the text to life.
NRZ Essen
James McLean with his clear lyric tenor voice and subtle acting was brilliant as the Prince.
WAZ „Rusalka“ in Münster
A successful choice was the casting of James McLean as Loge, who brought out the sarcastic side of this character through clever staging and interpreted the role with his fascinating lyrical voice.
Das Opernglas „Das Rheingold“ Opéra Royal de Wallonie
To be praised again is the very lyrical Loge of James McLean, whose elegant phrasing is far removed from the caricatured approach of character tenors.
La Libre Belgique « L' Or du Rhin » Opéra Royal de Wallonie
Outstandingly cast are the two leading roles, Anke Sieloff and James McLean. They both played almost to the point of self-destruction, which was an astonishing achievement considering it didn’t affect their arias, duets or trios.
WAZ „Béatrice und Bénédict“ in Gelsenkirchen
James McLean, as Alwa, was impressive with his strong dark timbre and in the upper register, surprisingly expansive voice.
Das Opernglas „Lulu“ in Coburg
James McLean gives with his clear, slender tenor voice a wonderful Tom Rakewell. McLean’s acting ability is surprisingly strong for a singer.
Berliner Zeitung „The Rake’s Progress“ in Essen
Après tous, the soloists of the evening, among whom must be pointed out right away, the extraordinary James McLean. He gives us a Canadian Shanty with a magnificent timbre, a perfect sense of drama, whose singing strongly belongs to the tradition of great British tenors.
La Libre Belgique « Liverpool Oratorio » à Liège
The star of the evening was James McLean, who with his noble tenor voice gave the evangelist sympathetically and also the arias impeccably.
WAZ „Johannes-Passion“ in Essen