A new tenor, Michael Spyres, is impressive in his recital. He shows his versatility in singing coloratura arias…It is a recording well worth having. © 2012 Fanfare Read complete review

Michael Spyres, a young American lyric tenor, in his first recorded recital demonstrates his versatility and his ability to characterize different musical heroes with different vocal coloration. His nine high Cs in the Fille du Régiment aria are well sung. In the Rake’s Progress aria his English diction is excellent. He pleasingly handles the coloratura with all of the small notes in place in what was the often-cut “Cessa di più ristere” aria from Il Barbiere di Siviglia. He sings “Una furtiva lagrima” with a delicate lyric line, and he shows classical artistry in his rendition of “Il mio tesoro.” His rendition of “Je crois entendre encore” is sung beautifully with a lyrical head voice, and it alone is worth the price of the disc. The rest of the arias demonstrate his versatility, and each is expressive and faithful to the intentions of the composers.

The conductor, Constantine Orbelian…is an experienced musician and supports the singer excellently. © 2012 Fanfare Read complete review

For his debut recital CD, tenor Michael Spyres presents A Fool for Love, a romance scenario on which he threads thirteen opera arias, plus encore. The singing of this young American is so engaging…a singer with artistic vision and a supportive record company is enough of a rarity to warrant attention, and the commanding and sensitive conductor Constantine Orbelian provides a further gold stamp of approval.

Every track of A Fool for Love boasts a unique point of view, fueled by musical and theatrical imagination and totally convincing role excerpts. © 2012 Opera News Read complete review

Wenn heutzutage ein Tenor halbwegs ordentlich singt, gibt es bereits Leute, die jubeln. Ich bleibe lieber bei den Tatsachen.

Tatsache ist, dass Spyres eine passable Tenorstimme hat. Tatsache ist auch, dass er in einigen lyrischen Arien dieses Programms durchaus überzeugen kann, so in ‘Je crois entendre encore’ aus den ‘Pêcheurs de perles’… ‘Una furtiva lagrima’ aus ‘L’Elisir d’Amore’ und ‘Pourquoi me reveiller’ aus ‘Werther’. Aber selbst hier ist die Stimme nicht immer so lyrisch und legatorein, wie man es sich erwartet hätte. Näselnde oder leicht säuerliche Töne bleiben während des ganzen Recitals nicht aus.