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."
Critical Acclaim
Read what critics are saying about Christian Sanders' performances on opera stages across the United States and Europe.
"Christian Sanders' turn as Tobias (Toby) is perhaps my favorite of the evening. His clear, strong tenor voice broke my heart."
"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."
"Tenor Christian Sanders brings just the right mix of despicable lust and comic incompetence to the role of the Monostatos."
"One simply cannot present Monostatos as a young and handsome man in a trim jump-suit singing with the beautiful voice of Christian Sanders."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"Christian Sanders immediately won the hearts of the audience with his infectiously funny and energetic performance of 'Pirelli's Miracle Elixir.'"
"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."
"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."
"Christian Sanders revealed a ringing tenor that seems destined for distinction..."
"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..."
"Christian Sanders gets some of the best moments of the night as the dastardly Begearss."
"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."
"The bright-voiced tenor Christian Sanders was charismatic as Bégearss."
"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."
"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."
"The Prunier of Christian Sanders cut a raffish figure, and their interplay lit the stage in its three-dimensionality."
"Christian Sanders' clear, shining tenor served the role of the Novice well."
"There was excellent work from Christian Sanders as the frightened novice."
"Sanders performed his transformative role with stage-savvy sparkle and athleticism…Sanders had no competition for stardom."
"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."