REVIEWS

  • Madama Butterfly, Toronto (26.01.2025): “The excellent, large supporting cast was made up of many current and former members of the COC Ensemble Studio as well as guest artists… ... The beautifully sung Yamadori of former COC Ensemble baritone Samuel Chan was also deserving of praise.”

    - Joseph So, Opera Canada

    Photo: Michael Cooper

  • Madama Butterfly, Toronto (26.01.2025): “Everything clicked today in the Canadian Opera Company presentation of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly at the Four Seasons Centre… …There were no weak spots in the cast… …Samuel Chan was an intriguing Yamadori, singing some of my favourite music in the opera (i always desperately wish Butterfly would accept his proposal, but sigh it never happens). Whether Yamadori is an unattractive older fellow being pushed by the opportunistic Goro or the handsome younger one we saw today, the scene serves as a light interruption in the tragic plot.

    - Lez Barcza, barczablog.com

    photo: Michael Cooper

  • Die Fledermaus, Kiel (09.11.2024): The male participants can also be met in this first act... ...It is an arsenal of messed-up characters, with the exception of Gabriel's "friend" Falke, who is convincingly played and sung by Samuel Chan. He is a puppet master with class.

    - Arndt Voß, Neue Musik Zeitung (NMZ Online)

    translation: Samuel Chan

    Photo: Olaf Struck

  • Philharmonisches Konzert: Funkenschlag, Philharmonisches Orchester Kiel (29.09.2024): … the ballad “Der Feuerreiter” with the pianist Beatrice Berrut: The Talented Canadian baritone Samuel Chan takes the risk of trying to conjure up the famous mill fire behind the mountain in the inhospitable giant hall. He succeeds in doing so brilliantly, using vocal techniques up to the bewitchingly beautiful head register- …

    - Christian Strehk, Kieler Nachrichten

    translation, Samuel Chan

    Photo: Kieler Nachrichten

  • La Cenerentola, Theater Kiel (11.03.2024): Samuel Chan also seems completely in his element: as a babbling baritone and as a strange stage character. Unlike the distinguished, observant real prince, he adds a comedic affectation to his Dandini as a deputy."

    - Christian Strehk, Kieler Nachrichten

    translation: Samuel Chan

    Photo: Olaf Struck

  • Falstaff, Theater Kiel (09.12.2023): Ford, Alice's jealous husband, who gets wind of Falstaff's intended love adventure, is played ravishingly by Samuel Chan, who impresses with his elegant and melodious baritone voice.

    - G. Helbig, Das Opernglas Magazin

    translation, Samuel Chan

    Photo: Olaf Struck

  • La Bohème, Theater Kiel (14.09.2023): ...Acting and singing about disappointment through hope, and of madness in love, Samuel Chan impressed with his agile and powerful baritone.

    Arndt Voß, Neue Musik Zeitung (NMZ Online)

    translation, Samuel Chan

    Photo: Olaf Struck

  • Iolanta, Theater Kiel (10.01.2023): Samuel Chan embodies Robert with a beautiful voice...All of the voices harmonize so well with the score that a concert performance of this homogeneous line-up would have already been a great pleasure.

    Marc Rohde, Onlinemerker

    translation, Samuel Chan

    Photo: Olaf Struck

  • Così fan tutte, Theater Kiel (17.09.2022): Vigidis Bergitte Unsgård (Fiordiligi), Tatia Jibladze (Dorabella), Xenia Cumento (Despina), César Cortés (Ferrando), Samuel Chan (Guglielmo) and Jörg Sabrowski as Don Alfonso play in the tension field of this mixed situation. They are all characterized not only by very graceful singing, calm coloratura and recitations from Mozart's time, but also by their completely convincing performances.

    - Werner Bodendorff, Schleswig-Holsteinisches Landeszeitung

    translation, Samuel Chan

    Photo: Olaf Struck

  • Die Zauberflöte, Theater Kiel (15.12.21) ...The second young couple, Samuel Chan as Papageno and Mengqi Zhang as Papagena, mastered their lively roles beautifully...– Arndt Voß, NMZ Online

    – Arndt Voß, NMZ Online

    translation, Samuel Chan

    Photo: Olaf Struck