REVIEWS

"Hänsel – portrayed with gripping intensity and vocal virtuosity by countertenor Denis Lakey – a very fortunate idea to have cast the original mezzo-soprano role with this voice colour…" DAS OPERNGLAS

"The countertenor Denis Lakey was compelling as Ottone with brilliant coloratura singing … the ensemble showed off their best acting skills." FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE

" …vocally superior …" (1st Witch Baden-Baden). DAS OPERNGLAS

"Above all Denis Lakey lends vocally seductive countertenor unfamiliarity to the dreamy vision of Apollo." OPERNWELT

"Denis Lakey is not only able to sing thrillingly with an androgynous touch, he is also a fascinating actor." SÜDWESTPRESSE

"The title role was magnificently acted and almost more convincingly sung by the English countertenor Denis Lakey. His voice sounds like a seamless mezzo with which he executes the neck-breaking coloratura arias with great virtuosity." DAS ORCHESTER

"It is astounding how well and with such a secure sense of style the six young protagonists (Denis Lakey in the title role Ottone) hit the right Handel tone." SÜDDEUTSCHE ZEITUNG

"Denis Lakey is a brilliant and vivid Julius Caesar … he sings freely and energetically with crystal-clear decorations … he is convincing across the board as Julius Caesar." BRAUNSCHWEIGER-ZEITUNG

"Musically the star of the evening was without doubt Denis Lakey as Caesar. He had already conquered the fortress of the Marschlinger Hof (Quedlinburg) after the first aria. Grandiose, highly expressive, distinctive in his singing and acting. Rich, secure figuration and development of the da capo sections with alternating flowing or leaping, always razor-sharp delineated coloratura were hallmarks of his singing." HALBERSTÄDTER-VOLKSSTIMME

"With every last detail brought out, amusing and stimulating, in short 'Wie es Euch gefällt' is of the best quality … above all Denis Lakey turned this sonorous performance into an event with a vocal opulence rare to be heard amongst countertenors. This, combined with a refreshing vivacity and lively facial expressions, produced an effective and at the same time very varied musical creative power." AUGSBURGER ALLGEMEINE

"… Denis Lakey stirred up particular interest as vocal soloist. He masters the orchid among voice-types – the male alto – exquisitely. He combines richness and power with fine artistry full of nuances and cultivated vocal roundness." NRZ

"Without doubt, it was the nightingale and not the lark which sang in the Galerie Esplanade. Because just like the timid night bird, Denis Lakey produced a voice which was beautiful and unworldly … Lakey masters the difficult falsetto technique to perfection and can truly cast a spell with his expressive voice." HANNOVERSCHE ALLGEMEINE