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Christian Sanders

Critical Acclaim

Press & Reviews

Read what critics are saying about Christian Sanders' performances on opera stages across the United States and Europe.

2023 Austin Opera

Tobias Ragg | Sweeney Todd

"Christian Sanders' turn as Tobias (Toby) is perhaps my favorite of the evening. His clear, strong tenor voice broke my heart."

— Lynn Beaver, Broadway World
2022 Opera Santa Barbara

Dorvil | La Scala di Seta

"The one-act, one-location comic opera is built around a bizarrely complex plot, which may be best unraveled as we sink into the rich atmosphere of the musical element and a livewire production. Singing and acting were ideally pitched to the farcical challenges at hand, especially from suitors Christian Sanders and Matthew Peterson."

— Josef Woodard, Santa Barbara Independent
2022 Opera Theatre of Saint Louis

Monostatos | The Magic Flute

"Tenor Christian Sanders brings just the right mix of despicable lust and comic incompetence to the role of the Monostatos."

— Chuck Lavazzi, KDHX.org

"One simply cannot present Monostatos as a young and handsome man in a trim jump-suit singing with the beautiful voice of Christian Sanders."

— Steve Callahan, Broadway World
2022 Portland Opera

Donald Trump | The Central Park Five

"Christian Sanders masterfully caricatures the blowhard real estate mogul with his spookily unstoppable hand gestures, his saunter and slump, his jutting chin, and Queens twang."

— Angela Allen, Oregon ArtsWatch
2021 Des Moines Metro Opera

Timothy Laughlin | Fellow Travelers

"One of the most captivating parts of the night came in Christian Sanders' performance as Timothy Laughlin. He left his heart on the stage, not only making this an amazing performance, but one I will not soon forget."

— DC Felton, BroadwayWorld

"As his counterpart in love and distress, Christian Sanders is a formidable liaison. Coming right off a matinee performance of Sweeney Todd, the tireless Mr. Sanders made the role of Timothy Laughlin his own, deploying his steady lyric tenor with assurance."

— James Sohre, Opera Today

"Tenor Christian Sanders sang the role of Timothy with an innocent vulnerability and vocal clarity. Sanders' voice cut through the orchestra despite the venue's acoustic issues, connecting to the audience on a visceral level."

— Meghan Klinkenborg, Schmopera
2021 Des Moines Metro Opera

Tobias Ragg | Sweeney Todd

"The evening continues with a very charismatic performance from Christian Sanders as Tobias. He not only commands the audience's attention whenever he is on stage but exudes a charm that will have the audience members themselves wanting to purchase miracle elixir or meat pies right from him."

— DC Felton, BroadwayWorld

"Tobias Ragg is often presented as a somewhat hapless puppy dog. Not so here, with Christian Sanders characterizing him as more a coltish street urchin, his steady, shining tenor ringing out in the house. His version of 'Not While I'm Around' was a production highlight, infused with such an appealing boyish determination that it earned a prolonged ovation."

— James Sohre, Opera Today

"Christian Sanders immediately won the hearts of the audience with his infectiously funny and energetic performance of 'Pirelli's Miracle Elixir.'"

— Meghan Klinkenborg, Schmopera
2019 The Glimmerglass Festival

Bégearss | The Ghosts of Versailles

"The villainous Patrick Honoré Bégearss is served up with obvious relish, with a side of scenery to chew on, by Christian Sanders. Mr. Sanders' clarion, bright-toned tenor sailed through the treacherous Aria of the Worm with nary a problem, undaunted by the tessitura or imposing orchestration."

— James Sohre, Opera Today

"Christian Sanders showed himself to be a powerful tenor and strong stage communicator as the despicable villain through numerous reprises of 'Aria of the Worm' in what clearly was intended as a great crowd pleaser."

— Susan Galbraith, DCTheatreScene.com

"Christian Sanders revealed a ringing tenor that seems destined for distinction..."

— Cameron Kelsall, Bachtrack

"Standouts included the theatrically astute tenor Christian Sanders, as Bégearss, the cartoon villain in Beaumarchais's opera, who has two lengthy, vehement arias about vermin..."

— Heidi Waleson, The Wall Street Journal

"Christian Sanders gets some of the best moments of the night as the dastardly Begearss."

— Joseph Dalton, Times Union

"Christian Sanders performed the role of the villain Bégearss singing Bégearss' anthem Long Live the Worm with spectacular success, receiving one of the evening's biggest ovations."

— William Burnett, Opera Warhorses
2019 Château de Versailles

Bégearss | Château de Versailles Spectacles

"The bright-voiced tenor Christian Sanders was charismatic as Bégearss."

— Susan Brodie, Classical Voice North America

"He (Bégearss) is embodied by Christian Sanders with a constant and total darkness, from his costume to his dark voice, curvy in the verses, whipped over the brass."

— Charles Arden, Olyrix
2018 Minnesota Opera

Prunier | La Rondine

"As Prunier, Christian Sanders brings a strong, soothing tenor to his verses. He conveys Prunier's sly nature, proffering the poetry of true love, while pursuing something less virtuous."

— Arthur Dorman, Talkin' Broadway

"The Prunier of Christian Sanders cut a raffish figure, and their interplay lit the stage in its three-dimensionality."

— Terry Blaine, Star Tribune
2018 Des Moines Metro Opera

Novice | Billy Budd

"Christian Sanders' clear, shining tenor served the role of the Novice well."

— James Sohre, Opera Today

"There was excellent work from Christian Sanders as the frightened novice."

— Mark Thomas Ketterson, Opera News
2018 Portland State University

Albert Herring | Albert Herring

"Sanders performed his transformative role with stage-savvy sparkle and athleticism…Sanders had no competition for stardom."

— Angela Allen, Oregon Arts Watch

"Christian Sanders as Albert Herring was a real showstopper. His incredible tenor was matched by his acting--even in the midst of a high comedy such as this, his ability to portray the frustration and smothered angst that seems to define Herring's life was crucial."

— Lorin Wilkerson, Northwest Reverb

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