The Magic Flute
Pamina’s foil is the cunning Monostatos, another steal-the-show character well sung and acted by Spencer Hamlin.
Words and Music, Byron Nilsson, 7/19/2021
Il Trovatore
The members of the Glimmerglass Young Artist Program acquitted themselves well. The opening chorus of nomads was invigorating, with standout solos by bass Ron Dukes and the Ruiz of Spencer Hamlin.
Opera News, Maria Mazzaro, 8/7/2021
Dolores Claiborne
Spencer Hamlin sang with bright, taut tenor as Detective Thibodeau, a fact-finding officer who seems a little too zealous in the execution of his duty.’
New York Classical Review, Eric C. Simpson, 10/23/2017
Tenor Spencer Hamlin’s Thibodeau made the relentless inquisition of Dolores as suspect compelling, aided by a station house video camera, recording and projecting Dolores evasive answers about her employer’s unfortunate tumbling down the stairs. Again, in this intimate arena of great voices, Hamlin’s tenor, honed by tackling the high C’s as Tonio in “La fille du regiment,” was both moving and biting as the enquiry goes back and forth in time, over two deaths.
Operawire, Matt Costello, 10/31/2017
Gianni Schicchi
In the title role, baritone Josh Devane was funny and in healthy voice, as was Spencer Hamlin as the lovesick Rinuccio.
Parterre Box, Joel Rozen, 7/9/2017
With a pingy tenor, Spencer Hamlin sang one of the best Rinuccios I’ve ever encountered.
Gay City News, David Shengold, 8/3/2017
Die Fledermaus
Spencer Hamlin milked delicious humor from the self-involved, three-tenors-wannabe Alfred, while showing off his dazzling Italianate voice.
Opera News, Joanne Sydney Lessner, 7/8/16 (review released October 2016)
Alfred, the pompous testosterone pressed tenor was played by gifted Spencer Hamlin whose impressive singing of “Drink my darling” plus a snippet of “La donna e mobile” from Rigoletto and a thunderous “Vincero” from Turandot dazzled the ear. His comic flair was right on the mark and he did not “overplay” his part as the “Italian” tenor.
Brooklyn Discovery, Nino Pantano, 7/14/16
La fille du régiment
La fille du régiment fielded a more vocally accomplished cast overall, led by Spencer Hamlin’s rock solid Tonio. The apple-cheeked Hamlin was the perfect picture of a Tyrolean peasant, with a scintillatingly smooth leggiero tenor. The nine high Cs in “Ah, mesa mis” seemed to offer no problem, and he also delivered a lovely, heartfelt “Pour me rapprocher de Marie.”
Opera News, Joanne Sydney Lessner, 7/10/15 (review released October 2015)
Tonio was sung by Spencer Hamlin, who was a perfect blend in soaring duet with Marie and an exciting “Ah mes amis” in which he belted out nine high Cs. His tenor is a pure lyric with a lot of bite to it. He can conjure up substantial power without shouting and yet the frisson adds to the intensity and satisfaction of the moment. Hamlin was more the clever ardent suitor than the country bumpkin, which added to the portrayal. Mr. Hamlin’s soulful singing of “Pour me rapprocher de Marie” was a high point of the evening.
Brooklyn Eagle, Nino Pantano, 7/17/2015