“David Cangelosi gave his usual polished turn as the wicked Monostatos.”
Other Operas
“Speaking of Mime, the real star of Wednesday’s opening night was Lyric Opera Center for American Artists alum David Cangelosi, who combined great vocalism with boundless energy as the scheming Nibelheim dwarf. The scene outside Fafner’s cave in Act 2 in which Siegfried, who after having tasted the dragon’s blood, can read Mime’s evil thoughts, is a consummate acting gem on Cangelosi’s part.”
“As with any opera, however, Wagner’s music is ultimately about singing, and Lyric Opera of Chicago has a cast that moves from strength to strength. Tenor David Cangelosi, a former member of Lyric’s Center for American Artists, sings Mime for the first time onstage. (He) was another discovery, though Lyric audiences know him well from numerous roles over the past eight seasons, including Tobias Ragg in “Sweeney Todd” and Little Bat in “Susannah.” His Mime, however, was a marvel of nuance and vocal color. In Act I’s talky encounters with Wotan and Siegfried, he was spellbinding as he combined wily wit and vocal power in a portrait without a trace of screechy whining or over-the-top cringing. “
“David Cangelosi’s Mime, acted with great, spidery athleticism, was a refreshingly musical change from the character tenors who whine and bark and do everything but sing the role; Cangelosi did sing it, and beautifully so. “
“David Cangelosi has developed into America’s leading character tenor… ”
“Vivacious in movement and sound, tenor David Cangelosi was a personality-packed Prunier who enlivened the stage. “
“Tenor David Cangelosi made a real human being out of the secondary character Prunier, and delivered the musically important part with panache. “
“Pagliacci’s best singing of the night came from Beppe…in a sweetly sung serenade, courtesy of tenor David Cangelosi. “
“David Cangelosi had the half-wit Little Bat down to cringing perfection.”
“Tenor David Cangelosi added the simpleminded Tobias to the eccentric characters he’s sung at Lyric; his clear, strong voice shone in “Not While I’m Around.”
“David Cangelosi had the difficult task of transforming Tobias from a simple but not unintelligent lad to a complete madman. He was convincing on all counts as well as vocally lovely in his aria sung to Mrs. Lovett.”
“Only halfway through the first act did proceedings get a shot in the arm with the entrance of David Cangelosi, vibrant as always in the role of Basilio.”