Photo by Ken Howard /
Metropolitan Opera

"Starting with Die Walküre, each of the big operas boasted one major performance that, if not transformative, at least generated real excitement. Chalk up an unqualified success, first, for tenor Gary Lehman, who stepped in as Siegmund in Die Walküre on short notice, just as he had as Tristan a year ago. On this evidence, the singer's natural gifts are as arresting, and rare, as the suave way he deploys them. His physical bearing and rich vocal timbre were ideal for the role, as was his ability to shape an ardent "Winterstürme" and to maintain expressivity and emotion, even as Levine's lugubrious pacing, in the Act II Todesverkündigung."