Leporello - Don Giovanni - North Carolina Opera, NC - 2015
04.20.15
VOIX DES ARTS - JOSEPH NEWSOME
"From the first notes of ‘Notte e giorno faticar, per chi nulla sa gradir’ in Act One, Adam Lau was a Leporello who had the audience in the palms of
his hands. More impish opportunist than partner in crime, Mr. Lau’s Leporello was an ideal foil for Don Giovanni. There were both great fun and
a suggestion of a tender effort at dissuading Elvira from pursuing Giovanni in his performance of the aria 'Madamina! il catalogo è questo.’ He
caressed the melody of the andante con moto, 'Nella bionda egli ha l'usanza di lodarla la gentilezza,' gently flattering Ms. Clark’s becomingly
blonde Elvira. His patter in ensembles was barnstorming, and every vocal gesture was matched by physical comedy worthy of Buster Keaton. In
Leporello’s Act Two duet with Giovanni, 'Eh via, buffone, eh via, non mi seccar,' Mr. Lau sang splendidly, and his mimicry of Giovanni in
serenading Donna Elvira was sidesplitting...his address to the Commendatore’s monument in 'O statua gentilissima' was artfully-phrased. Mozart
and da Ponte wrote the rôle of Leporello so magically that a good singer can easily walk away with the laurels in a performance of Don Giovanni.
The high quality of his colleagues’ portrayals meant that Mr. Lau shared the laurels, but in both voice and demeanor he was a world-class
Leporello."
04.20.15
THE NEWS & OBSERVER - ROY C. DICKS
"As his loyal servant Leporello, bass Adam Lau combines a vividly sonorous voice with an astute comic sensibility, making him an audience
favorite."
04.19.15
OPERALIVELY.COM - LUIZ GAZZOLA
"Mr. Adam Lau was fabulous as Leporello, with a performance as good as any I've seen (and I've seen some mighty good ones). His Catalog Aria
was excellent, not to forget his phenomenal comedic timing and acting. A++"
04.18.15
CLASSICAL VOICE OF NORTH CAROLINA - WILLIAM THOMAS WALKER
"Manich has created a marvelous ensemble cast. Bass Adam Lau as Leporello has a flexible, rich, and solid voice and a real flair for comedy."
George London Foundation for Singers Competition - 2015
MAY 2015
OPERA NEWS - BRIAN KELLOW
"Also making a stunning impression was thirty-year-old bass Adam Lau, who displayed a uniformly beautiful tone and keen acting skills in
Claggart's aria from "Billy Budd". Lau's final "I will destroy you" seemed to hang in the air for some time after he finished singing."
02.28.15
VOCE DI MECHE - Meche Kroop
"A gifted singer can get the listener to appreciate an aria that he/she might not ordinarily enjoy, or a language one does not particularly favor. For
example, baritone Reginald Smith, Jr. and bass Adam Lau employed such fine English diction that we understood every word and considered their
performances two of our favorites...Mr. Lau gave a similarly superb performance of "Claggart's Aria" from Britten's Billy Budd, giving the role all
the bitterness and envy that was called for without ever compromising the requisite musicianship."
Don Alfonso - Cosi fan tutte - Naples Opera, Fl - 2015
02.22.15
KNIGHTS ARTS FOUNDATION - SEBASTIAN SPRENG
"But the best performance was delivered by Adam Lau, an outstanding Alfonso in every sense, vocal as well as theatrical, and stylistically even
more accurate than his young colleagues."
02.08.15
NAPLES DAILY NEWS - Harriet Howard Heithaus
"And as comic foils and machinators of the plot to get the women to cheat, Alfonso and Despina have the best roles. You can sense Lau relishing
his joke as he waves and weeps crocodile tears with the sisters, bidding the men safe passage to the military; “May the winds blow gently” is one
of the sweetest trios of the opera."
Raphael & Adam - Hadyn Creation - Severance Hall - Credo Music Festival - 2014
07.22.2014
CLEVELAND CLASSICAL - Daniel Hautzinger
"The soloists’ clear diction and expressive faces vividly brought the text to life, especially in recitatives...Lau was superb both as Adam and the
angel Raphael, his silky voice tender while professing his love for Eve, and noble and weighty while narrating the creation of the earth.
Performing much of his part from memory, he drew the audience further into the story through small gestures and sincere looks of joy and
wonderment."
Palémon - Thaïs - Florida Grand Opera - 2014
05.06.2014
OPERA NEWS - Jean-François LeJeune
Bass solos - Handel's Messiah w/ Mo. John Nelson - Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra - 2013
12.23.2013
THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER - Mary Ellyn Hutton
"Lau rendered a magisterial “Thus saith the Lord”…Excitement bristled in Lau’s aria “Why do the nations so furiously rage together,” "
Apprentice Showcase - Santa Fe Opera - 2013
08.19.2013
FROM THE DESK OF ARTISTIC DIRECTOR JONATHAN PELL, SANTA FE - PART VII - Jonathan Pell
"There were quite a few interesting singers, but for me two of the standouts were the young basses, Patrick Guetti as “Achille” in the Handel
and Adam Lau, who displayed extraordinary versatility by appearing as “Claggart” in BILLY BUDD and “Mustafa” in L’ITALIANA.”
Antonio - Le nozze di Figaro - Santa Fe Opera - 2013
November 2013
OPERA NEWS - Simon Williams
“Santa Fe apprentices Adam Lau, Rachel Hall and Jonathan Winell gave nicely judged cameos as Antonio, Barbarina and Don Curzio,
respectively.”
08.08.2013
CONCERTONET.COM - Paul du Quenoy
"Adam Lau's Antonio stole the character's scenes."
08.05.2013
IONARTS - Charles T. Downey
"First-year apprentice Adam Lau was a funny drunk as the meddling gardener, Antonio."
08.10.2013
THEATER JONES NORTH TEXAS PERFORMING ARTS NEWS REVIEWS - Gregory Sullivan Isaacs
"Adam Lau is delightful as the gardener Antonio, who may or may not have been as drunk as those caught red-handed make him out to be. It’s
a nice twist."
08.19.2013
OPERA TODAY - Maria Nockin
"apprentice Adam Lau created a memorable character as the drunken gardener"
08.24.2013
VOCE DI MECHE - Meche Kroop
"As her bibulous father Antonio we heard apprentice Adam Lau who was so effectively made up that we didn't recognize him."
07.02.2013
SANTA FE REPORTER - John Stege
"To paraphrase the old saw, there are no minor roles, just minor singers. Nobody’s minor here...apprentices Adam Lau
(Antonio) and Rachel Hall (Barbarina) make swell impressions."
06.29.2013
OPERAWARHORSES.COM
"Care was taken also in the casting of each of the five smaller roles. The gardener Antonio is the promising Adam
Lau."
Young Patronesses of the Opera Competition - May 2013
04.30.2013
EDGE MIAMI - Jack Gardner
“Bass Adam Lau, from San Francisco, CA won first place by presenting the judges with spectacular renditions of
Britten’s "O Beauty, O Handsomeness, Goodness" and Rossini’s "Deh! Ti ferma ti placa...Que' numi." Lau, a current
member of the FGO Young Artists Studio, was seen this year in "La Bohème," "Die Zauberflöte," "La Sonnambula" and
"La Traviata."
Barone - La traviata - Florida Grand Opera 2013
05.01.2013
HOTSPOTSMAGAZINE - Billy Masters
"This company has a knack for ideal casting, down to the smallest role. The part of the Baron, for example, was sung by
Adam Lau, who stood out (as he did in "La Sonnambula") as a singer with a bright future.
04.25.2013
KNIGHTSARTS.ORG - Sebastian Spreng
“The musical department offers welcome reliability and pleasant surprises. The chorus is excellent, the supporting case
is effective (especially Adam Lau’s Baron and Graham Fandrei’s Doctor) and the leading singers execute estimable
performances.
04.22.2013
PALM BEACH ARTS PAPER - Greg Stepanich
"Adam Lau, whose large, sonorous instrument has been a pleasure to hear in FGO's La Bohème and Die Zauberflöte
earlier this season, was an effective Baron Douphol"
04.21.2013
SOUTH FLORIDA CLASSICAL REVIEW - David Fleshler
"Of the secondary roles, the most notable was Adam Lau as the Baron, pompous in red sash and muttonchops, whose
sonorous bass provided a firm underpinning to the ensemble section that closes the second act.
Alessio, La sonnambula, FGO 2013
02.10.2013
SOUTH FLORIDA CLASSICAL REVIEW - David Fleshler
“The bass Adam Lau, who sang Alessio, revealed a sonorous voice in the Act 2 scene with Lisa, a voice that could be
put to better use in the future than the thankless role of this sad sack who spends the opera whining for Lisa to marry
him.”
02.10.2013
MIAMICLASICA - Sebastian Spreng
"The young ensemble singers showed assimilation of this important legacy with a homogeneous vocal performance.
Both Hyng-Young Lee - a Lisa in the tradition of the soubrette - Cynthia Cook (Teresa) and again remarkable Adam
Lau (Alessio), three Young Artist Program participants were able to frame the protagonists."
El joven ensamble de cantantes demostró la asimilación de este legado fundamental con un desempeño vocal
homogéneo.Tanto Hyng-Young Lee – una Lisa en la tradición de la soubrette -, Cynthia Cook (Teresa) y el otra vez
destacable Adam Lau (Alessio), tres participantes del Young Artist Program supieron enmarcar a los protagonistas.
02.11.2013
OPERAWARHORSES.COM
“In the smaller roles Catherine Cook and Adam Lau were welcome as, respectively, Teresa and Alessio….Adam Lau
showed high promise in the small role of Alessio, who is enamoured of Lisa, and whom we assume turned out to be
her bridgegroom once it was clear she had lost Elvino for all time.”
02.12.2013
OPERAGASM - Judy O. Marchman
“Adam Lau as Alessio was very accomplished and brought a bright spot to the cast. His voice delivered personality
and abundance.”
02.14.2013
ARTBURSTMIAMI - Celeste Fraser Delgado & Fernando Landeros
“Adam Lau, once again, excelled as her unrequited lover.”
Sprecher - Die Zauberflöte - Florida Grand Opera, 2013
01.26.2013
CONCERTO.COM - Jeff Haller
"The Speaker of Adam Lau and Matthew Maness's Monostatos show young performers ready for bigger challenges."
01.27.2013
SOUTH FLORIDA CLASSICAL REVIEW - David Fleshler
"As the Speaker, Adam Lau was dignified in both manner and voice."
01.30.2013
OPERAGASM - Judy O. Marchman
"Adam Lau as The Speaker did not disappoint – again, providing a wise and steadfast bass/baritone. Lau is really a very
lovely singer, and I am very excited to watch this young man’s career.
01.30.2013
DIARIO LAS AMERICAS - Rudolf F. Moreno
"Adam Lau with his beautiful bass voice, as the “Speaker”, contributed to the rest of the “comprimarios”, to enhance this
opera."
01.30.2013
MIAMI ARTZINE - Steve Gladstone
"Basso Adam Lau, last heard as Colline in FGO’s La Bohème, plays the long-bearded wheel-chaired Sprecher, giving
Tamino entrance to the temple, singing as naturally as one speaks, advising Tamino to “trust in wisdom.”
01.31.2013
MIAMI SUNPOST - Tony Guzman
"Adam Lau lends considerable depth, along with his rich, resonant bass to the part of a sage counselor in the Temple of
Wisdom."
02.01.2013
MIAMI CLASICA - Segun Sebastian Spreng
“The rest of the cast, Adam Lau stood out as an excellent speaker while others fulfilled their assignments effectively”
Del resto del elenco, se destacó Adam Lau como excelente Orador mientras los demás cumplieron eficazmente con sus
asignaciones”
02.14.2013
ARTBURST MIAMI - Celeste Fraser Delgado & Fernando Landeros
“Unlike, say, ballet, basketball, and mathematics, opera is an endeavor where talent deepens with age…With his
thrilling, true bass, Lau has been a consistent highlight of this season, and we couldn’t help wishing he’d had a turn as
the high priest. So much for our theory about age.”
02.25.2013
PALM BEACH ARTS PAPER - Greg Stepanich
“Adam Lau, who was a good Colline earlier this season in FGO’s La Bohème, sang the Speaker with a rich, deep voice
that has a big lower compass that would have been useful for Sarastro.”
Colline - La bohème - Florida Grand Opera 2012
11.17.2012
CONCERTONET.COM - Jeff Haller
“Rounding out the quartet are two good actors, Adam Lau as Colline and Ryan Milstead as Schaunard. The four make
a good combination in that the personalities remain distinct...Lau's contribution gives a hint that his fourth act aria will
land, which it does with honor and some Pinzaish tone. Lau is one young artist to watch out for.”
11.18.2012
SOUTH FLORIDA CLASSICAL REVIEW - David Fleshler
“As Rodolfo’s other two friends, the singers captured the easy camaraderie of their bohemian life and rose to the
occasion for their solo moments… As Colline, Adam Lau brought as much pathos as he could in addressing an article
of clothing as he said farewell to the overcoat he had decided to sell to help the dying Mimì.”
11.21.2012
ARTBURST MIAMI - Celeste Fraser Delgado
“Adam Lau, a member of FGO’s Young Artists Program, was in strong voice throughout as Rodolfo’s friend Colline,
and was especially moving in his aria in Act Four, where he decides to sell his beloved coat to raise money for Mimi’s
medical care.”
11.21.2012
DIARIO LAS AMERICAS - Rudolph Moreno
“Also successful were the roles of “Colline” sung by bass Adam Lau, performing his aria “Vecchia zimarra”, where he
displayed a sonorous lower register”
11.22.2012
MIAMI SUN POST - Tony Guzman
“As the philosopher, Colline, bass Adam Lau … sang Colline’s farewell to his coat, “Vecchia zimarra,” in Act Four
handsomely and drew a nice hand.”
11.27.2012
OPERAGASM - Judy O. Marchman
“Adam Lau’s Colline was another wonderful addition to this strong cast. I waited the entire opera to hear his
Vecchia zimarra senti, having admired his strong bass in Act I. I was duly impressed with his portrayal of impending
loss and sacrifice. Many times this aria seems out of context, as though it stops the opera for too long a moment
overshadowing the distraught Mimì. However, Lau gave a magnanimous performance without stopping the action.”
11.26.2012
MIAMI ARTZINE - Steve Gladstone
"After Mimì appears cold and sick, Colline (Adam Lau) leaves to pawn his overcoat – “Vecchia zimarra” ("Old coat") –
to buy her a muff to keep her hands warm. Leave it to a bass to deliver this dirge, Lau investing the deep emotions
critical to the scene."
11.27.2012
PALM BEACH ARTS PAPER - Greg Stepanich
“In the ancillary roles of Schaunard and Benoit/Alcindoro, both Ryan Milstead and Craig Colclough, respectively,
performed ably, but the real find here was Adam Lau as the philosopher Colline. Lau, a Californian, has a bass of real
quality, with sonorous low notes that project admirably. Sometimes audiences forget to give Colline his props for his
Vecchia zimarra in Act IV, but not Wednesday; Lau gave an elegant performance of this very brief, but moving, aria.”
West Bay Opera’s Production of Don Giovanni (2012):
02.17.2012
SAN FRANCISCO CLASSICAL VOICE - Georgia Rowe
“As Leporello, bass Adam Paul Lau …. came into his own as the evening progressed, deploying muscular tone and displaying
impressive breath control in the Act 2 sextet. Cilli and Lau managed some very funny moments of roughhousing in their
duets.”
02.20.2012
SAN JOSE CLASSICAL MUSIC EXAMINER - Beeri Moalem
"Adam Paul Lau as Don Giovanni’s base servant Leporello was the crowd favorite for his likable mimickry of a contemporary
“gangsta rapper” look while filling the small theater with a compelling Bass voice. His thuggish coat tugs and streetsmart strut
along with his athletic crawling and groveling on the floor added a lot of excitement and humor to the show.”
02.22.2012
ALMANAC NEWS - Kevin Kirby
“Adam Paul Lau's Leporello is less a servant than a one-man entourage, a hanger-on who watches Giovanni's back and provides
a bit of street cred. Lau has good comic instincts and a resonant bass voice. He wisely avoids playing Leporello as a clown,
delivering his arias with a wry smirk and keeping the character physically grounded with a sort of hip-hop slouch. If there's
any problem with Lau's performance, it's that he occasionally overpowers Cilli vocally.”
02.22.2012
SAN FRANCISCO SPLASH - Philip G. Hodge
“His go-to man indeterminate age, seedy-looking, street-smart. Adam Paul Lau demonstrated his acting ability in a role totally
different from his appearance as the ancient Timur in last year’s Turandot.”
Basilio - Il barbiere di Siviglia - San Francisco Opera Center's Merola Program 2011
08.05.2011
THE OPERA TATTLER
"Adam Lau was quite funny as Don Basilio, his low notes projected well, without being gravelly."
08.05.2011
NFFO.BLOGSPOT.COM - Axel Feldheim
"Bass Adam Lau was a ridiculous, vaguely indecent, Don Basilio. He has a big voice which he modulates well, & he seemed to
have fun wearing his absurd powdered wig with its erect ponytail."
08.06.2011
SAN FRANCISCO CLASSICAL VOICE - Janos Gereben
"Diction — unexpectedly good all around among the young singers who come from various countries, though none from Italy
— made a difference between the two Basilios. Both the first cast's Adam Lau and the second's Peixin Chen (from Inner
Mongolia) have big voices, but Lau (raised near North Beach) aced communication, which is so important for this role. (And
important in all opera.)"
08.06.2011
A BEAST IN A JUNGLE - Liliane Hunt
"All of these pleasures aside, the unexpected highlight of the performance (besides Michie's stunning presence) was Adam
Lau's Don Basilio. Not only did he deliver vocally, but Lau has one of the most expressive faces I've seen on a stage- in any
medium. He's simply a terrific, very funny actor. This particular cast worked extremely well as a comedic ensemble."
08.10.2011
SFist.com
"San Francisco's own Adam Lau was a powerful Don Basilio"
San Francisco Merola Grand Finale (2011):
08.20.2011
SAN FRANCISCO CLASSICAL VOICE - Jason Victor Serinus
"San Francisco bass Adam Lau, 27, coupled vocal authority with a terrific low note in his duet with Maynard from Bellini’s
Puritani."
08.21.2011
NFFOBLOGSPOT.COM - Axel Feldheim
“In a call-to-arms scene from I Puritani, bass Adam Lau was a reliable warrior, sounding loud but controlled.”
09.02.2011
INDEPENDENT COAST OBSERVER - Iris Lorenz-Fife
“Two Bay Area men – bass Adam Lau (San Francisco) and baritone John Maynard (Orinda) gave us “Il rival salvar tu
dei…Suoni la tromba” from Bellini’s I Puritani. Both had the requisite passion but the beauty of Lau’s bass dominated
Maynard’s baritone.”
Timur - Turandot - West Bay Opera 2011
02.20.2011
SAN FRANCISCO CLASSICAL VOICE - Janos Gereben
"Adam Paul Lau's sonorous Timur and Liisa Dávila's simple, understated Liu made major contributions to the performance."
Leporello - Don Giovanni - Aspen Opera Theater Center 2011
09.06.2009
OPERA TODAY - Wes Blomster
"Yet even more perfect in Aspen was his servant Leporello, portrayed with breathtaking immediacy by Adam Paul Lau, now a
graduate student at Rice University. Too often reduced to a merely comic character, Lau understood the serious side of
Leporello, his disgust with his master’s devious way and — at the same time — the desire to be like him. He really is the Don’s
double.”