Reviews of "WAGNER'S EPIC HEROES" CD
"In this chronological survey of Wagner's output, Mr.
Lane proved that dramatically and vocally he is that rare real heldentenor
[heroic tenor]. The voice managed the upper regions with secure, ringing tones
and a warm baritonal color in the lower and middle registers. His prodigious
talent for both vocal and histrionic expression literally and viscerally,
demands viewing him in "live" opera performances, so strong is the impact that
this recording conjures up visually in one's imagination!"
Laszlo Halasz, Founder & First Artistic & Musical Director,
New York City Opera
"Music to some enthusiasts is a
quasi-religious experience. I am a moderately religious person, but the
combination of Wagner and Kenneth Lane's voice makes conventional religion seem
almost pedestrian !"
Brice M. Clagett, Author/Critic/Attorney
"Kenneth Lane is certainly at home
with the heroes! How many other tenors would (or could) attempt such an
ambitious program? One would assume such a voice to come from a person of
Valhallic proportions, as are most Wagnerian tenors. That he manages to maintain
the support and heft for his heroic vocal undertakings and yet stay youthfully
trim is certainly a tribute to his life-style and discipline. It must also come
as a pleasant surprise to those who see him in operatic performances as well."
Lawrence F. Holdridge, recordings' annotator, reviewer, radio
commentator, and publisher of "The Record Auction" of Amityville, New York
"Hearing Kenneth Lane sing Wagner
one is transported not only to the ideal aural realm of the Wagnerian
heldentenor protagonist he is interpreting, but also convincingly to the entire
Wagner canon, sensing the majesty, wide emotional outpourings and deeply-felt
tenderness so palpably atmospheric of the Wagner we all imagined, but have not
heard since the one and only Melchior."
Martin Kalmanoff, Music Critic, opera composer ["The Bald
Soprano" (Ionesco), "Insect Comedy" (Lewis Allan), "Joy of Prayer," & "pop"
standard "Just Say I Love Her"]
Lane's voice is indeed powerful
and full of character.... He captures effectively the anguish of TRISTAN
denouncing the cursed drink (and himself), the confusion of PARSIFAL
confronting Kundry, the regret of the dying SIEGFRIED, the torture of
OTELLO's jealousy.... It is also pleasant, these days when most would-be
heldentenors are wimpy and characterless, to find a singer like Kenneth Lane,
who has real dramatic power.... There is rich promise in his singing.... WE NEED
HIM!
William Youngren, Music Critic, FANFARE, March/April 1997
Kenneth Lane is a tenor with
impressive credentials.... The evidence provided by [Lane's] "Amfortas! Die
Wunde!" and "Nur eine Waffe taugt!" suggests that he'd be quite an imposing
PARSIFAL.... [Lane's] three TRISTAN excerpts also tantalize with
their power.... Noted: he does nail the two "Bb"s in "Dio! mi potevi scagliar! [Otello]"
James Miller, Music Critic, FANFARE, March/April 1997
Lane's Rienziheartfelt, spiritual, even
vibrato! Otellogreat hi Bb (!!) many, many very impressive points.
Eugene Kohn, Metropolitan Opera Conductor