Hartford Symphony Presents An Antidote To Bland Holiday Music
"The center of the work was given to the baritone soloist, which was the setting of a Thomas Hardy poem called ‘The Oxen.' Bass-baritone Eric Downs sang with warm and effective colorings. He drew us into the final stanza with gentle energy."
— Jeffrey Johnson,
Hartford Courant
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Strong singing, inventive set boost 'Italian Girl in Algiers'
"As Mustapha, Downs was velvety-smooth, dark-hued, stylish, especially good in recitative and more lyrical intimidation." — Matthew Guerrieri,
Boston Globe
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Midsummer Treat
"A superb male vocal quartet praise the powerful Bey of Algiers, Mustafa, (bass-baritone Eric Downs) saying he is a 'tamer of women.'"
— Susan Miron,
Boston Musical Intelligencer
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O Thou That Tellest: Timeless oratorio resplendent in cathedral
"Mr. Downs championed Why Do the Nations, displaying a great flexibility in his vocal range, and a pleasing lower register. Mezzo-soprano Marietta Simpson sang with a vocal warmth that has inevitably become her trademark. In the aria O Thou That Tellest, Ms. Simpson brought a jubilance to the work."
— Patrick McCoy,
Examiner.com
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Boston Youth Symphony Chamber Orchestra's Don Giovanni Convincing, Intelligent
"With Leporello, well played by bass-baritone Eric Downs, the comic nature of the role means fewer arias and more recitatives, and even the arias, such as his 'Notte e giorno faticar' with which the opera begins, are choppy, but there were windows to observe what a fine voice he has when given a chance."
— Mary Wallace Davidson,
Boston Musical Intelligencer
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'Cosi' needed to rush net more
"Eric Downs, as the instigator Don Alfonso, showed the best sense of phrase, his bass-baritone suavely insistent."
— Matthew Guerrieri,
Boston Globe
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