Tosca: Te Deum

Quinn Kesley, as Scarpia, and the Met Chorus sing an excerpt from Act I in a recent performance. Production: David McVicar. Conductor: Yannick Nézet-Séguin. 2024–25 season.

[davebillnitzer]

This is what passes for Scarpia these days... "vede-her la fiamma..." "con spasimo-ho d'amor" "l'altra fra le miei bra-ha-ha-cie!"

[dougbarker]

Oh dear, no way is this a voice fit for the great role of Scarpia. Kelsey's voice is small and unattractive, and lacks a solid core. He over-sings and this results in a loss of legato and some lumpy phrasing. Does he know how to cover his tone?

[MarieRoque]

I was at the performance yesterday. His voice is not big. I don't know why critics and commentators keep saying that! He was drowned out by Yannick on multiple occasions.. Pretty much everyone was, unfortunately. His voice at his entrance was tiny and in the Te Deum it never filled the hall. He basically sounds like he is singing old school musical theatre because his legato is inconsistent (hers too) and he uses straight tone a lot more than you would like to hear in Puccini. It is an interesting voice but by no means a big Verdi baritone sound.

[daviddecarlo]

After hearing this I pulled up Sherrill Milnes and all was well again.

[buddys_dad]

I am tired of two things in opera: straight tone and countertenors

[WilliamFrom-cgmb]

yikes. he's ready for musical theater.

[smurf]

Terfel is now a bumbling wobble fest and can no longer be heard above the orchestra in this aria as well. Just saying..I was at the very center and top of the house, which is the best seat for sound quality. Don't know why there's no baritones these days with true open yet forward sound. Not ingolata. And a presence, not small.

[jmfairy]

I saw him live a lot 12-15 years ago and he was truly outstanding. Then, it seems, his ego got the best of him and now we're left with... this. Mediocrity. It's a shame, I had high hopes for him.

[libbysingscontrezzo]

I thought he sounded fantastic, and hope he becomes the Met's leading Scarpia. Much better than what we've been given in recent years.

[pasavant]

He is singing flat most of the time. Voice is small, but unpleasant. Another Met PR creation.

[rogercole]

Kelsey may not have the biggest voice, but he used it to incredible effect. He approaches the role differently than some of the great baritones of the past, but I find it no less effective. His Scarpia was thoroughly evil, and I enjoyed every minute of his performance.

[ThéoM-vt]

I’ve seen it in cinema !! Fantastic!!!

[gabykogut]

Quinn Kelsey is amazing as Scarpia and as Rigoletto. He embodies such different roles beautifully. I was blown away.

[iloveopera]

Absolutely unlistenabale! Disgraceful of what the Met has offered as Met in HD, with all three principals not able to perform their roles

[Avgeek]

Quinn sounds fantastic. Is he in the line of MacNeil, Milnes, Gagnidze? No, but such lyrical singing and great acting. No barking for a change. Love him.

[marcelbohemski]

DISGRACE !!! SHAME !!! PROFANATION !!!

[jormavuopio]

Olen ollut mukana Flanderin lähettiläänä , tuossa oopperassa Tampereella Suomessa.!🎼🎵🎶

[AngeloBassVComposer]

It seems no one likes this portrayal of scarpia, and it’s a real shame… because they are right! I’m seeing Aida for the first time soon, and you-know-who is going to be one of the “singers”. Disgraceful… Quinn Kelsey should never be allowed to sing opera ever again after this, yet they keep bringing him back for encores no one asked for. If this is the best clip of Quinn Kelsey’s scarpia, then I can’t even fathom how horrendous the worst clip of him would be. Boo! Get off the stage!