Chicago Opera Theater - The Life and Death(s) of Alan Turing

“Baritone Jonathan Michie delivered an ineffably moving portrait of Turing. Michie’s sound was ample and expressive, and graced with a delicate float in the upper register and fluidity for the melisma which wound throughout his music.”

OPERA NEWS - Mark Thomas Ketterson

“Jonathan Michie, part of the project since its inception, played Turing’s eccentric charm to the hilt. The opera is a near unbroken two-hour showcase for the title role, and Michie’s big, handsomely blooming baritone seized the occasion. Perhaps Turing’s most rapturously Romantic, yet shattering, moment comes early, when he shares an intimate moment with his grade school classmate Christopher. Turing spends the rest of the opera chasing that bliss, and Michie plots the emotional topography of the role accordingly.”

MUSICAL AMERICA - Hannah Edgar

“Most crucially, at the center of this production was the powerfully acted and ideally sung performance by Jonathan Michie as Turing. A tall, gaunt baritone, Michie captured the workings of Turing’s extraordinary brain that enabled him to break the Nazi Enigma code (and a great deal more). At the same time, Michie suggested Turing’s personal turmoil and the formidable but catastrophic honesty that would ultimately lead to his destruction.”

PBS CHICAGO - Hedy Weiss

“Baritone Jonathan Michie is larger than life when portraying Turing. He’s got a strong, beefy voice that he uses to great effect when pouring out the troubles of Turing’s soul. He also brings confidence and swagger: this is a man who understands more quickly and further along the horizon than anyone around him, and Michie creates a special halo around the character that emphasizes his unique and unusual qualities. What Michie does best is to show us a man bursting with energy and the will to work hard on any number of projects who finds himself perplexed by the fact that he has done nothing wrong and yet is being treated in the most abominable way. The dignity of his demeanor during the court scene is heartbreaking.”

HYDE PARK HERALD - M.L. Rantala

“It was especially worth it to hear Jonathan Michie really let loose. Not that his turn as Turing wasn’t already borderline-heroic—lanky in frame, powerful yet vulnerable in voice, crushed at nearly every turn—but, when surrounded by rainbow bursts and the voices of his past swirling in his mind, Turing freely and gleefully commends himself to his experiment.”

CHI-MT.COM - Patrick O’Brien

“Alan Turing is portrayed by baritone Jonathan Michie in an intense and bravura performance. Michie’s range is exacting—easily climbing into higher notes and down to deep bass tones. Michie has command of the role.”

THIRD COAST REVIEW - Kathy D. Hey

Oper Leipzig - Don Giovanni

“Mit seinem hellen Bariton entspricht Jonathan Michie dem Stimmtyp, für den Mozart diese Rolle geschrieben hat... Michies schauspielerische Leistungen, insbesondere sein lässiges Auftreten, entsprechen dem Regiekonzept eines modernen Mannes, der die Promiskuität genießt und weiterhin ein bequemes Leben führen könnte, wenn da nicht die Mordanklage wäre, die ihn das ganze Stück über verfolgt.”

“With his bright baritone, Jonathan Michie fits the voice type for which Mozart wrote this role... Michie's performances, particularly his easy-going demeanor, fit the directorial concept of a modern man who enjoys promiscuity and could continue to live comfortably if not for the murder charge that haunts him throughout.”

DAS OPERNMAGAZIN - Dr. Daniel Floyd

“Michies Don Giovanni ist ein überzeugender Drecksack, dem man sein Ableben von Herzen gönnt und seine Interaktionen mit Sejong Chang als Leporello funktionieren stimmlich wie schauspielerisch perfekt.”

“Michie's Don Giovanni is a convincing scumbag whose demise is heartily enjoyed, and his interactions with Sejong Chang as Leporello work perfectly, both vocally and in terms of acting.”

MUSIKULTUR - Julia Weber

“Jonathan Michie und Sejong Chang sind als Don Giovanni und Leporello ein vitales Duo infernale, das bei der Jagd nach den Frauen vom erarbeiteten Ruf lebt.”

“Jonathan Michie and Sejong Chang as Don Giovanni and Leporello are a vital infernal duo that live off the reputation they have earned in the hunt for women.”

NEUE MUSIKZEITUNG - Joachim Lange

Oper Leipzig - Capriccio

“Bei Jonathan Michie in der Rolle des Dichters Olivier bleiben ebenfalls keine Wünsche unerfüllt. Seine Deklamation ist makellos, sein Arioso betörend.”

“With Jonathan Michie in the role of the poet Olivier, no wishes remain unfulfilled. His declamation is flawless, his arioso beguiling.”

LEIPZIGER VOLKSZEITUNG - Peter Korfmacher

Seattle Opera - La Cenerentola

“Baritone Jonathan Michie was an effective and highly active Dandini.”

THE SEATTLE TIMES - Melinda Bargreen

“Michie brings a marvelous and playful physicality to the role along with a resonant baritone sound.”

DRAMA IN THE HOOD - Molly Cassidy

“As the valet Dandini, who trades places with the prince for much of the opera, baritone Jonathan Michie showed great comic and vocal skill.”

SEATTLE GAY NEWS - Alice Bloch

“Michie, a nimble string-bean in shrieking red velvet, is a born clown.”

POST ALLEY - Roger Downey

Münchner Rundfunkorchester - Zum Großadmiral

“American-born Jonathan Michie makes a splendid Rochester, his silken baritone rich, ringing and full of character.”

OPERA NEWS - Clive Paget

“…und vom Grafen Rochester, gesungen vom Amerikaner Jonathan Michie, der mit heldischer Strahlkraft und makelloser Diktion seine Rolle zum Mittelpunkt des Ensembles macht.”

“… and from the Count Rochester, sung by American Jonathan Michie, who with heroic radiance and impeccable diction, makes his role the center of the ensemble.”

ABENDZEITUNG MÜNCHEN - Michael Bastian Weiß

“Rollengerecht agierte auch der schlanke Bariton Jonathan Michie als Richard, Graf von Rochester. Mit seiner kräftigen Stimme und seiner prägnanten, ausdrucksstarken Gestik erntete er immer wieder Szenenapplaus.”

“The slender baritone Jonathan Michie acted as well as Richard, Count of Rochester. With his powerful voice and his incisive, expressive gestures he earned repeated applause.”

ONLINE MERKER - Udo Pacolt

Florida Grand Opera - Le nozze di Figaro

“El astuto Fígaro de Calvin Griffin y el mujeriego y sinvergüenza Almaviva de Jonathan Michie, estas magníficas voces le garantizarían el éxito a la producción.”

“The shrewd Figaro of Calvin Griffin and the womanizing scoundrel Almaviva of Jonathan Michie, these magnificent voices would guarantee the production’s success.”

EL NUEVO HERALD - Daniel Fernández

“Jonathan Michie’s booming baritone was deployed with subtlety and he played the jealous and hypocritical nobleman to the hilt. At the conclusion as Mozart’s music reaches the sublime with “Contessa perdono,” the Count’s plea for forgiveness, Michie was fully up to the task.”

SOUTH FLORIDA CLASSICAL REVIEW - Lawrence Budmen

“Baritone Jonathan Michie is absolutely villainous as the Count, the narcissist who doesn’t understand nor care to consider others in his actions. Michie finds the balance between buffo and drama, especially in the Count’s introspective aria Vedrò, mentr’io sospiro that opens Act III.”

FLORIDA THEATER ON STAGE - Bill Hirschman

Oper Leipzig - Cinq-Mars

"On remarque le jeune Jonathan Michie... en plus d’un baryton présent et nuancé, son Conseiller de Thou affiche la meilleure diction française de la soirée."

"Of note is the young Jonathan Michie... in addition to a present and nuanced baritone, his Conseiller de Thou displays the best French diction of the evening."

ANACLASE - Katy Oberlé

"Ihm zur seite kämpft für Freiheit und Recht, wie es sich gehört, ein kraftvoll-sonorer Bariton-Freund: DeThou, großartig gesungen von Jonathan Michie."

"By his side fights for freedom and justice, as it should be, a powerfully sonorous baritone friend: DeThou, superbly sung by Jonathan Michie."

FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG - Eleonore Büning

"Jonathan Michie gave us a handsomely sung, clean-toned De Thou"

BACHTRACK - Hugo Shirley

"Amongst the supporting men, Jonathan Michie as Conseiller de Thou impressed the most. Always caring and forewarning towards his best friend Henri. In Act I, he particularly charmed in his bromance, although some of their funny French shenanigans were lost in translation. Later Michie demonstrated his vulnerability in his protection over Cinq Mars, before his friend’s tragic ending."

OPERA TODAY - David Pinedo

LA Opera - Die Zauberflöte

"As Papageno, Jonathan Michie offered an appealing dramatic impersonation that was both amusing and touching. Whether bragging, longing for a lover or merely calling for a good meal, Michie’s irrepressible bird catcher offered delightful comedy that always held the audience’s interest. Watching him made the audience understand why Emanuel Schikaneder, the librettist, wrote the role for himself."

OPERA TODAY - Maria Nockin

"Jonathan Michie's strong baritone created an unusually virile Papageno."

LOS ANGELES TIMES - Mark Swed

"Jonathan Michie, with his pliant baritone and comedic timing, carried off the Buster Keaton-style antics of Papageno with gusto."

SEEN AND HEARD INTERNATIONAL - Jane Rosenberg

"Baritone Jonathan Michie sang lustily and musically as the lovable birdcatcher Papageno."

CLASSICAL VOICE - Truman C. Wang

Oper Leipzig - La Cenerentola

"Für all diejenigen, die gerne unterhalten werden möchten, ist diese Cenerentola optimal. Vor allem dann, wenn Giulio Mastrototaro als schrulliger Don Magnifico mit Rampensaupotenzial und Jonathan Michie als grotesk aufgeblähter Diener Dandini angesagt sind."

"For all those who wish to be entertained, this 'Cenerentola' is optimal.  Most particularly, if Giulio Mastrototaro as a quirky Don Magnifico with show-stopping potential and Jonathan Michie as a grotesquely inflated servant Dandini are performing."

OPERN-KRITIK.DE - Florian Amort

Florida Grand Opera - Die Zauberflöte

"Jonathan Michie triumphed as a hilarious Papageno, displaying the best voice of the evening."

OPERA NEWS - Jean-Francois Lejeune

"Much the most memorable was that of Papageno, sung and acted here by the American baritone Jonathan G. Michie, whom I’ve seen and admired in several other FGO productions... Michie was marvelous, a delightful Papageno from his first appearance who did what every good comic needs to do, and that’s seize the audience’s attention every second the spotlight is on him.  He is also a fine and distinctive singer, with a strong, clear voice that has just the right flexibility to be able to go from tomfoolery to poignancy persuasively. His Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen was lovely, and his voice in the Bei männern duet with Pamina blended attractively with hers. He also understands how not to overdo things... Michie made it work, and work well.”

PALM BEACH ARTS PAPER - Greg Stepanich

“In the role of Tamino’s bird catching sidekick, Papageno, baritone Jonathan G. Michie delivers a hilariously engaging, tour de force comedic performance, wresting laugh after laugh from director Buchman’s wry asides and loony antics, while singing authoritatively throughout.”

MIAMI SUN POST - Tony Guzman

“As Tamino’s sidekick, the not-all-that-brave, not-all-that-bright bird catcher Papageno, Jonathan G. Michie inspired genuine laughter from the audience... But there was nothing oafish about Michie’s voice, and Der Vogelfänger bin ich ja—sung as he tries to net a giant bird—came off with rustic humor and vocal refinement, with Michie’s rich, sustained baritone and easy phrasing giving a convincing portrait of the amiable bird catcher.”

THE MIAMI HERALD - David Fleshler

Florida Grand Opera - Roméo et Juliette

"All other roles were very well cast, with special mention earned by the brilliant Mercutio of Jonathan Michie..."

OPERA NEWS - Jean-Francois Le Jeune

"Jonathan Michie showed once again that Mercutio can easily walk away with the opera and his ovation at curtain time proved he did."

CONCERTONET.COM - Jeff Haller

"The rest of the principals bring the expected strong vocal talent but also unexpected acting skill: the most striking impression came from baritone Jonathan G. Michie as the hot-blooded Mercutio."

SUN-SENTINEL - Bill Hirschman

Israeli Opera - Il barbiere di Siviglia

“In the title role, baritone Jonathan Michie’s resounding voice emerged as a veritable comic actor.”

THE JERUSALEM POST - Ury Eppstein

“Fulfilling the director’s vision meant casting singers with comic acting skills as well as adequate voices. Again, not an easy challenge, but fully met. All leading roles, most of them making their debut in Tel-Aviv, were a pleasure to listen to and to watch… And above all, the charismatic Figaro: American baritone Jonathan Michie. A rare collection of a top quality cast.”

PLAYSTOSEE.COM - Shmuel Ben-Tovim

“Figaro was performed at the February 23 premiere by award-winning American baritone Jonathan Michie, marking his Israel Opera debut. From the very first bars, it was evident that Michie’s magnificent voice was a novelty to Israeli audiences - and that he is no stranger to the role.”

YNETNEWS.COM - Buzzy Gordon

Oper Leipzig - Peter Grimes

“Der Apotheker, Schieber und Dealer Ned Keene war von Jonathan Michie mit seinem noch jugendlichen schlanken Bariton sowie seiner prägnanten ausdrucksvollen Gestik insbesondere mit dem Kneipen-Lied zu einem interessanten Rollenbild gestaltet worden.”

“The pharmacist, profiteer and dealer Ned Keene was given an interesting characterization by Jonathan Michie, with his slim, youthful baritone and his concise, expressive gestures, especially with the pub song.”

OPERNFREUND - Thomas Thielemann

Oper Leipzig - Die Zauberflöte

“Der Papageno des Baritons Jonathan Michie ähnelte der Personifikation des Mozart durch Tom Hulce in Miloš Formans Film Amadeus aus dem Jahr 1984. Michie verkörpert zweifellos die witzige, hanswurstige Seite der Figur des Papageno. Sein Schauspiel und seine Dialoge, die den Eindruck erweckten, natürlich und extemporiert gesprochen zu sein, brachten das Publikum mehrmals zum Lachen. Gleichzeitig schien er sich bewusst zu sein, dass hinter diesem Jedermann viel mehr steckt als nur ein Narr.”

“Baritone Jonathan Michie's Papageno was similar to Tom Hulce's personification of Mozart in Miloš Forman's 1984 film Amadeus. Michie undeniably embodies the funny, buffoonish side of Papageno’s character. His acting and his dialogues, which gave the impression of being spoken naturally and extemporaneously, made the audience laugh repeatedly. At the same time, he made it clear that there was much more to this everyman than just a fool.”

DAS OPERNMAGAZIN - Dr. Daniel Floyd

“Jonathan Michies Papageno steht Tamino mit Komik, Unbekümmertheit und einem herrlich breiten Bariton zur Seite.”

“Jonathan Michie's Papageno supports Tamino with humor, carefreeness and a wonderfully broad baritone.”

LEIPZIGER VOLKSZEITUNG - Katharina Stork

Oper Leipzig - L’elisir d’amore

“Jonathan Michie gibt mit kernigem Bariton einen schön selbstverliebten und schnittigen Belcore, der scheinbar jede Frau mühelos erobern kann.”

“Jonathan Michie, with a robust baritone, presents a beautifully narcissistic and rakish Belcore who can seemingly conquer any woman effortlessly.”

KULTURA EXTRA - Eva Hauk

“Jonathan Michie als Ford-Kommandant Belcore kräftigt die körnig-helle Höhe”

“Jonathan Michie as Commander Belcore invigorates the gritty and bright heights.”

NEUE MUSIKZEITUNG - Roland H. Dippel

“Dieses Belcanto-Niveau beeindruckt umso mehr, als auch die übrigen Partien das Niveau halten: Jonathan Michies kraftvoll eitler Offizier Belcore…”

“This level of Belcanto impresses all the more as the remaining cast members keep up the level: Jonathan Michie's powerful, vain officer Belcore…”

LEIPZIGER VOLKSZEITUNG - Peter Korfmacher

“Sein Widerpart Belcore wird von Jonathan Michie als selbstverliebter Macho angelegt.”

“His adversary Belcore is created by Jonathan Michie as narcissistic and macho.”

SÄCHSISCHE ZEITUNG - Jens Daniel Schubert

Oper Leipzig - Rusalka

"Jonathan Michie gibt einen erstklassigen Heger."

"Jonathan Michie gives a first class Gamekeeper."

LEIPZIGER VOLKSZEITUNG - Peter Korfmacher

"Jonathan Michie ist ein glaubhafter und stimmschön gestaltender Heger."

"Jonathan Michie is a believable and beautifully voiced Gamekeeper."

OPER AKTUELL - Kaspar Sannemann

Oper Leipzig - Der Freischütz

"Jonathan Michie zeigt als Ottokar charaktervollen Klang und prägnante Gestik."

"Jonathan Michie demonstrates as Ottokar characterful tone and incisive gestures."

KLASSIK.COM - Theo Hoflich

"Jürgen Kurth and Jonathan Michie offered intelligent, verbally acute performances as Kuno and Ottokar."

SEEN AND HEARD INTERNATIONAL - Mark Berry

Oper Leipzig - Turandot

"In a quick-witted, amusing trio of ministers, it was Jonathan Michie’s Ping that stood out for his vivid acting and virile baritone."

BACHTRACK - Hugo Shirley

"Stimmlich beeindruckt besonders Jonathan Michie als Ping mit seinem herrischen und klangvollen Bariton"

"Particularly vocally impressive was Jonathan Michie as Ping with his authoritative and sonorous baritone."

KLASSIK.COM - Theo Hoflich

Oper Leipzig - Trouble in Tahiti

"Mit Porto und Michie sind Dinah und Sam... perfekt besetzt.  Als Sänger laden die beiden Bernsteins geschmeidigen Deklamations-Stil mit vokaler Kraft auf, Michies prachtvoller, markant metallischer Bariton und Portos üppiger, warmer, sinnlicher Sopran balancieren mit blitzsauberer Artikulation gekonnt zwischen großer Emphase und zänkischem Plauderton."

"With Porto and Michie, Dinah and Sam are perfectly cast. As singers the two treat Bernstein's supple, declamatory style with vocal strength; Michie's glorious, strikingly metallic baritone and Porto's lush, warm, sensual soprano balance skillfully and with flawless articulation between broad, emphatic phrases and quarrelsome conversation."

LEIPZIGER VOLKSZEITUNG - Peter Korfmacher

Ravinia Festival - Don Giovanni

"The peasant couple, Zerlina and Masetto, was engagingly taken by the Chicago-born Ailyn Perez and American baritone Jonathan Michie... you could well appreciate why Michie's sturdily sung, boyish-looking Masetto was loath to allow his betrothed anywhere near the libidinous don."

CHICAGO TRIBUNE - John von Rhein

"Baritone Jonathan Michie made a delightful Masetto"

CHICAGO CLASSICAL REVIEW - Dennis Polkow

"Jonathan Michie played Masetto to the hilt, getting us to the edge of our seats as we try to prevent him from succumbing to the Don and Leporello"

BERKSHIRE FINE ARTS - Susan Hall

Oper Leipzig - Pagliacci

"Als Silvio... er strahlt jugendliche Frische und Unbekümmertheit aus.  Passend dazu setzt er seine schöne und geschmeidig geführte Stimme ein."

"As Silvio... he radiates youthful freshness and insouciance. Matching this he guides his beautiful and supple voice."

DER NEUE MERKER - Christoph Suhre

The Santa Fe Opera - La Grande-Duchesse de Gérolstein

"First among these are bass-baritone Kevin Burdette as General Boum and baritone Jonathan Michie as Prince Paul, who combined glorious singing, resonant voices, and crystalline diction with exuberant physical interpretations... Michie seemed at all times to be made out of elastic."

GB OPERA - William V. Madison

"Jonathan Michie delivers a standout performance as Prince Paul. Michie is a silly, creepy Prince, with an expressive face and a gift for physical comedy. His voice has a mellow richness along with nice flexibility."

LOS ALAMOS MONITOR - Melissa Riedel-Espinosa

LA Opera - Billy Budd

"Jonathan Michie was a charismatic, vocally distinguished Donald."

BACHTRACK - Matthew Richard Martinez

"Jonathan Michie made a fine impression in the role of Donald."

OPERA WARHORSES - William Burnett

LA Opera - Albert Herring

"Jonathan Michie, who was an utterly foolish and feckless Vicar in Santa Fe, repeated the role with even greater accomplishment in L.A."

OPERA NEWS - Simon Williams

Oper Leipzig/Teatro Comunale di Bolzano - Faust

“Jonathan Michie als rächender Bruder Valentin rennt mit baritonalem Furor gegen das Teufelswerk an, vergeblich.”

“Jonathan Michie, as the avenging brother Valentin, vainly fights against the devil's work with baritonal fury.”

NEUE MUSIKZEITUNG - Michael Ernst

"Jonathan Michie made a dapper Valentin with a solid, slightly gritty baritone which gained in freedom during the course of the evening; he gave of his best in the scene after his return from war."

OPERA MAGAZINE - Bernd Hoppe

"E lo dimostra Valentine che muore, nella magnifica interpretazione del giovane baritono Jonathan Michie, di fronte a un campo già colmo di salme."

" And it shows as Valentine dies, in the magnificent portrayal of the young baritone Jonathan Michie, in front of a field already filled with corpses."

IL CORRIERE MUSICALE - Veronica Pederzolli

"Jonathan Michie, nel ruolo di Valentine, è baritono davvero interessante e dotato."

"Jonathan Michie, in the role of Valentin, is a truly interesting and gifted baritone."

TEATRI ONLINE - Luca Benvenuti

"Mit Jonathan Michie's (Valentin) jugendhaftem Bariton offenbart sich ein immens ausdrucksstarker, unangestrengter und voller Klangkörper."

"Jonathan Michie's (Valentin) youthful baritone reveals an immensely expressive, effortless and full-bodied sound."

OPERA POINT - Andreas Gerth

"Jonathan Michie gibt den Valentin mit großem Ausdruck und noch jugendlichem Bariton und Spiel. Berührend sein Tod und die Verfluchung seiner Schwester, aber auch seine Scheidearie im ersten Aufzug lässt aufhorchen."

" Jonathan Michie portrays Valentin with great expression and still youthful baritone and acting.  Touchingly heard are not only his death and the cursing of his sister, but also his farewell aria in the first act."

OPERNNETZ.DE - Andreas H. Hölscher

Merola Opera - Il barbiere di Siviglia

"Good singers are one thing, and the Merola Opera Program attracts plenty of them each summer. But then there are the true musical and theatrical supernovas - the kind who come onstage, open their mouths and defy you not to hang on their every note.  To judge from Thursday night's performance of Rossini's "Barber of Seville" in Herbst Theatre, Jonathan Michie is one of those.  Michie... took the title role of Figaro and turned it into a vehicle for both vocal mastery and theatrical panache. His singing was fluid, precise and full of burnished colors, and he brought a seemingly effortless charisma to everything he did."

SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE - Joshua Kosman

"First and foremost was baritone Jonathan Michie whose perfectly enunciated “Batter my heart” from Adams’ Dr. Atomic seized us with its gorgeous, commanding tone and emotional directness. Michie seemed to be working hard just two weeks earlier, when his hilarious Figaro in Merola’s first cast Barbiere di Siviglia won over his audience with its physical as well as vocal flexibility. With this performance, he signaled that he is both a complete artist and a natural stage animal."

SAN FRANCISCO CLASSICAL VOICE - Jason Victor Serinus