“Engaging Kristian Benedikt, who already sang Otello in Vilnius, Modena, Piacenza, Cagliari, Ekaterinburg, Brisbane, St. Petersburg, München, Santiago and Basel, proved to be a real gain. The Lithuanian has a dark-timbred Heldentenor that does not only belt out the “Esultate” with brilliant victory, but lets us hear Otello's tortured soul already. Benedikt is endowed with almost neverending vocal resources, capable of enormously passionate attacks, recalling the legendary Ramón Vinay with his highly intensive, nervous outbursts of dark glowing sound. But he doesn't show off, instead he is using his vocal powers to highlight only particular moments of the piece, often reducing to mezzoforte and piano to reveal Otello's inner tremble.”
…And, of course, the effect is enhanced by a voice of a tenor, like Kristian Benedikt (Ottelo), which is emotionally coloured, deep sounding, fulfilling temperament and soul warranty.
The promising Swedish baritone Anton Eriksson is surely a singer in great development and Sweden really has a promising baritone here for future dramatic parts. As Enrico his dark, sonorous bass-baritone had the right authority and strength to back up his acting skills which portrayed an angry, deceitful bully of a man who tries to seize all people around him.
Raffaela Lintl mit schön aufblühendem lyrischem Sopran.