Jonathan Stinson
Press
SINGING
Rigoletto
"Baritone Jonathan Stinson, taking on the title role, wrings every last drop of
emotion from the fate of the wretched Rigoletto, his initial confidence shaken
by Monterone’s curse, and forever after haunted by premonitions of disaster.
--North West End (UK)
"Jonathan Stinson made a showstopping appearance as Count Monterone, laying
his curse on the Duke and Rigoletto with his strong, powerful voice and appearing
again before his execution to torment Rigoletto as the curse begins to take effect."
--Sullivan County Democrat
Gianni Schicchi
"The title role was strongly sung by baritone Jonathan Stinson in this performance, who
convincingly portrayed the machismo and selfish bravado of the main character."
Dead Man Walking
"Jonathan Stinson as De Rocher maintained the perfect balance between
tough-guy façade and the inner mortal, sensitive and fearful."
--The Boston Music Intelligencer
The Pirates of Penzance
"Jonathan Stinson portrayed the Pirate King with wonderful control – his voice is already amazing,
but to hear him in “Oh, better far to live and die” and own the stage was lovely. His pirate king
was comedic and his pirate crew was fantastic."
--Sullivan County Democrat
Of Mice and Men
"Jonathan Stinson, acting with grace and realism, produced some laser high notes of his
own, subtly restraining his voice for an intense, sensitive singing of Slim's Act II aria."
--Opera News Online
Hänsel und Gretel
“…Jonathan Stinson's Father tra-la-la-ing with all appropriate ringing gusto.
--Louisville Courier-Journal
Le nozze di Figaro
"Jonathan Stinson portrays the Count compellingly."
--Petoskey News-Review
Delaware Valley Opera's Operetta Gala
"Jonathan Stinson’s “Rose Marie” took my breath away. This song was a favorite of my grandfather’s and Stinson’s
moving performance had me close to tears. It was lovely! His duet of 'Golden Days' with Marcus Aiken Huber
was spectacular, and I truly enjoyed seeing him play the conceited and comedic Maximilian in Act Two."
--Sullivan County Democrat
COMPOSING
The March: A Civil Rights Opera Project
"In the final opera excerpt, Emmitt Till, who was lynched in Money, Mississippi in 1955, appears as a
ghost during the African American leaders meeting. In a stunning aria entitled “March For Me,”
Tenor Anthony McGlaun was accompanied by clarinetist Cory Tiffin playing what will become
an alto saxophone part in the finished score. This was the musical highlight of the
evening for us and its deep emotional expression brought tears to our eyes."
--www.icareif youlisten.com
“Six Songs on the Poetry of Goethe”
“I was able to work on a song cycle with Jonathan, his "Six Songs on the Poetry of Goethe,” and the process
of selecting the poetry, learning the music, and discovering his compositional language and what he
wanted to say through the music was an exhilarating experience. The music is complex and never
easy to sight-read, but after the work of learning the notes, I quickly fell in love with the rich
harmonies, beautiful melodies, and complex (and sometimes surprising) harmonic language.”
--Julie Wyma, soprano and stage director
Knightly News
“Chicago Opera Playhouse just returned from our Central Illinois tour of Knightly News. We
did five shows in three days (Jan. 24-26). One 6th grade student at Quest Charter Academy
said that this was the best day of his life and he asked if we could do the performance at
their school the very next day…. Saturday!"
--Linden Christ, Artistic Director of Chicago Opera Playhouse
The Three Bears
“This music is accessible to the average listener, yet still complicated enough to be fulfilling for a more seasoned
performer. I found this opera easy and enjoyable to stage. Stinson is one of those rare composers who
writes music that is both easy to stage (providing many musical moments that lend themselves to
particular actions or emotions), yet doesn't force a director into one particular choice. I felt free to
implement my own creativity, yet never felt like I had to create action that was lacking in the music.”
--Julie Wyma, soprano and stage director
"Goldilocks and the Three Bears [is] a fun-filled children’s opera that is loaded with laughs! Jonathan
Stinson’s adaptation of the classic tale is complete with mistaken identities, a chase through the
audience, and a chance for all the kids in the audience to participate."
--Charles Martinez, founder, Reach Out Kansas Opera Outreach