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Sean Panikkar Tenor
Quotes, Reviews & Features
Critical Acclaim
Lensky in Opera Theatre of Saint Louis’ Eugene Onegin
“The most thunderous ovation fell, deservedly so, on Sean Panikkar, whose mellifluous, plaintive tenor made a showstopper of Lensky's despairing aria; this young man is one to watch.”
John von Rhein, The Chicago Tribune, July 1, 2010
“Tenor Sean Panikkar, the passionate Lenski, offered gorgeous vocalism.”
Sarah Bryan Miller, MusicalAmerica.com, June 24, 2010
“Tenor Sean Panikkar's clarion, explosive tenor ignited the show. He brought an anger to Lensky, showing the violent flip side of a passionate nature…”
Heidi Waleson, The Wall Street Journal, June 22, 2010
“Sean Panikkar is dynamic as Lensky. He works well with Magiera and his voice is simply fantastic. His solos are extraordinary and his raw presence onstage gives Lensky a dynamic mix of sorrow, rage and jealousy that serves as the catalyst for much of the drama in the first two acts. Panikkar’s performance builds on his scene stealing turn in his OTSL debut last year in Ghosts of Versailles.”
Rob Levy , KDHX, June 4, 2010
‘Baritone Christopher Magiera makes his OTSL debut as Onegin, while tenor Sean Panikkar (Count Almaviva in last season's Ghosts of Versailles), plays Lensky, Onegin's best friend. Both are compelling actors and stunningly talented singers. Panikkar's ringing, clear tone, exquisite timing and effortless, controlled attack perfectly decant Tchaikovsky's melodies. There is an eloquent sincerity to his portrayal of a simple man who stumbles into tragedy.”
Lew Prince, Riverfront Times, June 2, 2010
“Tenor Sean Panikkar, last year’s Count Almaviva in "The Ghosts of Versailles," demonstrated what he could do with Tchaikovsky’s melodic lines and a real flesh-and-blood character, turning in an ardent, gorgeously sung performance as the poet Lensky. Panikkar has terrific vocal technique and high notes that don’t quit, along with tall good looks: he’s the complete package.”
Sarah Bryan Miller, Saint Louis Post Dispatch, May 30, 2010
Tamino in the Atlanta Opera’s Die Zauberflöte
“…Sean Panikkar, a dashing tenor with apt stage presence and a full-voiced, exceptional sound.”
Stephanie Adrian, Opera News, July 2010
“Pamina’s poise was ideally complemented by the dashing tenor Sean Panikkar, a Sri Lankan-American with a bright, focused tone, clear diction and, understandably, a fast-rising career.”
Pierre Ruhe, Atlanta Journal Constitution, April 25, 2010
Jim Casy at Carnegie Hall in The Collegiate Chorale’s The Grapes of Wrath
“The duet with Sean Panikkar (stepping in for Anthony Dean Griffey as the preacher Jim Casy) featured the evening’s most exciting vocalism. Moreover, Panikkar dealt with the Jiminy Cricket text of his aria ‘Things Turn Around’ with considerable style and dignity.”
Alison Moritz, Opera Today.com, March 28, 2010
“Among many other standouts in the large cast were Sean Panikkar as Jim Casy, a lapsed preacher.”
Anthony Tommasini, The New York Times, March 23, 2010
Brighella in the Metropolitan Opera’s Ariadne auf Naxos
“...and the comedians were ably handled…In this staging, Scaramuccio and Truffaldino have very little to do and no distinction, but Panikkar gave Brighella a distinctive sound and antics.”
John Yohalem, Opera Today.com, March 2010
Recital at Morgan Library (New York) under auspices of George London Foundation
“Panikkar, with his relaxed, boyish charm and perpetual twinkle, was accessible and impulsive, stageworthy without being stagy. Panikkar literally went out to the audience, with wide-eyed eagerness and full, open-armed gestures that physically invited them to share his joy, suffer with his pain and laugh at his folly. Panikkar chose his material well for his naturally ardent, brilliantly forward tenor and easy romantic sensibility. Guided by the sterling Ken Noda at the piano, Panikkar artfully shaped each song of Beethoven’s An die Ferne Geliebte, and the entire cycle was skillfully paced and varied. Lenski’s aria "Kudà, kudà," from Eugene Onegin, was so dramatically committed that the concert hall seemed to have been replaced by an imaginary opera set. As he did with the Beethoven, Panikkar seized on every open vowel to let his voice bloom fully, infusing his cries of "Olga" with passionate longing, and he ended with a deft messa di voce on the last note. In five colorful songs by Hubert Parry, Panikkar demonstrated his adaptability. "My heart is like a singing bird" showcased his flexibility in a fluid moving line, as he swung easily up to ringing high notes. "And yet I love her" ended on a sweet sigh of innocence. "Sleep" was tenderly rendered (although "wind" should have rhymed with "mankind"), and in "Rosaline," Panikkar added an irresistible element of self-mockery to his increasingly hyperbolic delivery. Though, in his zeal, he occasionally worked harder than necessary to prove the size of his voice, he seems headed for big things.”
Joanne Sydney Lessner, Opera News, May, 2010
“Performing with the pianist Ken Noda, Mr. Panikkar opened the program with a passionate rendition of “An die Ferne Geliebte,” Beethoven’s only song cycle. Mr. Panikkar displayed his rich, ardent tenor to emotive effect in “Kuda, Kuda,” Lensky’s aria from Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin”…He also offered lively renditions of five songs by Hubert Parry.”
Vivien Schweitzer, The New York Times, February 8, 2010
Cassio in Dallas Opera’s Otello
“The young tenor Sean Panikkar, as Cassio, gave the most consistently compelling vocal performance.”
Willard Spiegelman, Opera News, January, 2010
“As Cassio, Sean Panikkar showed off a clarion tenor…”
Heidi Waleson, Wall Street Journal, October 28, 2009
"The gifted young tenor Sean Panikkar was a standout as a hotheaded yet soldierly Cassio."
Anthony Tommasini, The New York Times, October 25, 2009
"Sean Panikkar's aptly loose-cannon Cassio served up a bright, penetrating tenor."
Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, October 24, 2009
Narraboth in Vancouver Opera’s Salome
“Another male standout is Sean Panikkar, in his emotionally charged debut as Narraboth.”
Janet Smith, Georgia Straight, May 4, 2009
“The short but vital role of Narraboth is well served by vibrant tenor Sean Panikkar, who forfeits his life in despair over his fateful desire for Salome.”
John Jane, reviewVancouver.com, May 4, 2009
“Tenor Sean Panikkar, as Salome’s would-be swain Narraboth, made a sparkling VO début.”
David Gordon Duke, Vancouver Sun, May 3, 2009
Nadir in Opera Colorado's Les Pêcheurs de Perles
“Yet the most impressive singing of the evening came from Sean Panikkar, a youthful tenor who, as lover boy Nadir, profited from real roots in the world that Bizet recreated in fantasy.”
-Daily Camera, February 16, 2009
“Sean Panikkar, a young tenor of Sri Lankan heritage, was an elegant Nadir. He has a strong voice which he uses to good effect in the two duets, but most impressive was his aria, ‘Je crois entendre encore.’ Panikkar was able to scale back his voice and sing a hauntingly beautiful voix-mixe as he sang high B naturals and a final C in the aria all while laying down on the stage.”
Seen and Heard International,February 17, 2009
“As Nadir, Sean Panikkar (whose family actually hails from Sri Lanka) was a virile presence, uniting wonderfully with Mulligan in the famous duet.”
Rocky Mountain News,February 17, 2009
Jim Casy in Pittsburgh Opera’s The Grapes of Wrath
“Sean Panikkar's ringing tenor was of genuine operatic quality, and his stage savvy brought to life the dilemma of Jim Casy, a preacher who has lost his faith.”
Opera News, February 2008
Arturo in The Metropolitan Opera's Lucia di Lammermoor
“The Arturo was the big surprise at the premiere. Sean Panikkar made a meal out of the bit-part and displayed a clarion lyric tenor that was nothing less than large. Blessed with musicality as resplendent as his voice, he brought his all-too-brief appearance into bold relief against some hefty competition from the lead singers.”
Operacast,November 3, 2008
“Sean Panikkar – much too tall and strapping for a fellow who is knocked over and dispatched by a slip of a girl in thirty seconds flat – sang a promising Arturo, matching the impression he made as Edmondo in Manon Lescaut last year.”
Opera Today, October 31, 2008
“The tenor Sean Panikkar as Arturo did strong work.”
Anthony Tommasini, The New York Times, October 6, 2008
Gomatz in Aix en Provence Festival’s Zaide
“Sean Panikkar possesses a winningly ardent tenor, which impressed...”
Seen and Heard International, July 9,2008
“The production does offer an occasion to do what the Aix Festival has long been famous for—providing a platform for unknown young singers with clear fresh voices and real potential. Among them…tall and handsome Sri Lankan-American tenor Sean Panikkar (Gomatz)…”
FranceToday, The Magazine of French Travel & Culture, July 2008
Alfredo in Arizona Opera’s La Traviata
“Sean Panikkar played her true love, Alfredo, with intense emotional commitment and opulent virtuosity. For him, the often omitted cabaletta, 'O mio rimorso', held no terrors whatsoever, and he tossed it off with seeming ease. We can hope to hear a great deal more from both of these young artists.”
Maria Nockin, Music and Vision, May 3, 2008
Edmondo in the Metropolitan Opera’s Manon Lescaut
“This is Manon's show -- something she would probably have been pleased with -- and Mattila is surrounded by male singers who are among the best on any opera stage in the world… young tenor Sean Panikkar, making his Met debut as the student Edmondo, looks like a leading man on the rise.”
Chesley Plemmons, The News Times, February 10, 2008
“In Act I he [Marcello Giordani] was hardly a match for young Sean Panikkar, making his Met debut as Edmondo.”
Fred Kirshnit, The New York Sun, January 31, 2008
“The strong secondary cast included… Sean Panikkar, a sweet and sprightly Edmondo.”
Martin Bernheimer, Financial Times, January 31, 2008
“the tenor Sean Panikkar, in his Met debut, brought his youthful lyric voice to the student poet Edmondo.”
Anthony Tommasini, The New York Times, January 31, 2008
“…tenor Sean Panikkar made a successful debut with a fresh, lyric sound as the student Edmondo.”
Mike Silverman, San Francisco Chronicle, January 30, 2008
Mahler Das Lied von der Erde (Arnold Schoenberg arrangement) with St. Paul Chamber Orchestra at the Ojai Festival
“a new tenor, Sean Panikkar, with a bright gleam of a voice, sounds like a real find.”
Alan Rich, LA Weekly, June 20, 2007
“Moreover, the announced tenor soloist Vinson Cole had opted out ... his replacement, young Sean Panikkar, possesses a large, flexible voice that suggests future promise.”
David Mermelstein, Musical America.com, June 13, 2007
“Between an old history and a new one was Mahler’s “Lied von der Erde,” done by the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra in Schoenberg’s cut-down arrangement. Mahler is the author of languid, lingering 20-minute codas that touch the heart but hate to say goodbye. The two healthy sounding voices were those of Monica Groop and Sean Panikkar. Douglas Boyd conducted to good effect.”
Bernard Holland, New York Times, June 13, 2007
“The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, under Douglas Boyd, didn't blink at any of the challenges. In the Mahler, heard in Schoenberg's skeletal arrangement, mezzo Monica Groop and tenor Sean Panikkar sang brilliantly.”
Timothy Mangan, Orange County Register, June 11, 2007
Beethoven Symphony No. 9 with San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra
“…one of the most impressive accounts I've encountered, whether live or on recordings, was tenor Panikkar's performance…He flowed through it with just the right hint of swagger, showing neither strain nor effort as he maintained his crystal tones, and at full volume.”
Heuwell Tircuit, San Francisco Classical Voice, May 20, 2007
Edmondo in San Francisco Opera’s Manon Lescaut
“There were fine performances throughout the cast, most notably tenor Sean Panikkar's elegant Edmondo…”
Opera News online, February, 2007
“Tenor Sean Panikkar, one of the most opulently gifted of the current crop of Adler Fellows, shone in Act 1 as Des Grieux's fellow student Edmondo. Every time Panikkar opens his mouth onstage these days, the house is full of people suddenly clutching for their programs and muttering, "Who is that guy?" and his performance on Sunday -- crisp, clear-toned and blooming -- was no exception.”
San Francisco Chronicle, November 21, 2006
“First and foremost, there is Sean Panikkar's Edmondo - the young man with the generally agreed-on promise of a great singing career also makes a "statement" here for matinee-idol good looks and arresting stage presence.”
Opera West, November 26,2006
“Adler Fellows Sean Panikkar (Edmondo) and Kendall Gladen (madrigal singer) lighted up their small roles.”
San FranciscoExaminer, November 21, 2006
“As Edmondo, a student, tenor Sean Panikkar sings with an appealing, conversational spirit; you know this guy.San Francisco Opera’s current Adler Fellows in the cast all made a good showing: tenor Sean Panikkar as Edmondo (in such good voice that you wish he had been the lead)...”
San FranciscoClassical Voice, November 21, 2006
“Of the smaller roles, the standout was Sri Lankan tenor Sean Panikkar, currently an Adler Fellow in the company's development program. A handsome man with café-au-lait skin and a devilish smile, he deployed a silvery tenor in the opening scene and it was difficult to understand why any of the girls could resist.”
Seen and Heard International, November 21, 2006
“Sean Panikkar, a promising tenor from the company’s training programme, makes more of Edmondo than one might have thought possible.”
Financial Times, November 21, 2006
“This courtyard scene, which can drag, was perfectly set up by Des Grieux's friend Edmondo (Adler Fellow Sean Panikkar.”
Contra Costa Times, November 21, 2006
“The first act also had to contend with the Sean Panikkar effect. He's a young Sri Lankan in the Adler Fellows program who keeps being given tiny parts that are usually the companion, the friend, the herald, what have you, and the problem is that his voice is so youthful, lyrical and beautiful, that the star tenor's entrace is usually a disappointment in comparison. This happened last year in both "Norma" and "Maid of Orleans." In the latter, his victim was Misha Didyk, the Ukranian tenor who is also singing the lead in "Manon Lescaut." Misha was fine on Sunday, even though he oversang at times, but we wanted to hear Sean!”
Civic Center, November 23, 2006
Sailor and Shepherd in San Francisco Opera’s Tristan und Isolde
“Adler Fellow Sean Panikkar, doing double duty as the Sailor in Act 1 and the Shepherd in Act 2, sang with extraordinary power and beauty.”
San Francisco Chronicle, October 7, 2006
“Among Opera Center participants, Sean Panikkar excelled as the Sailor in the opening scene, and the Act 3 Shepherd.”
Opera West, October 6, 2006
“Daniel is a ripping, exuberant singer. So is tenor Sean Panikkar, a product of SFO's Merola Opera Program, who sang the role of the shepherd, so loyal to Tristan, and yet, like everyone else in this excruciating story, unable to protect the knight from his chosen death.”
Mercury News, October 7, 2006
“Tenor Sean Panikkar sang handsomely in the dual role of Sailor and Shepherd.”
Opera News, November 2006
Raymond in San Francisco Opera’s Maid of Orleans
“…the best singing came in the smaller roles. Tenor Sean Panikkar, a gifted Adler Fellow, scored a knockout in the first act, singing with luxuriant clarity as the local peasant whom Joan refuses to marry.”
San Francisco Chronicle, June 5, 2006
“Current Adler Fellow Sean Panikkar proved a very tempting and romantic tenor in his role as "Raymond", the rejected suitor to the distracted Joan.”
San Francisco Sentinel, June 12, 2006
“Young Sean Panikkar is Joan's saintly would-be fiancé, with an authentic Russian tenor sound (even if the recent Merola participant's family hails from Sri Lanka).”
San FranciscoClassical Voice, June 3, 2006
“Sean Panikkar, as Joan's spurned fiancé, succeeds in the difficult task of playing the resigned and slightly meek lover. Resignation does not carry the voice too far, but Panikkar's clarity and confidence does nonetheless.”
SFist, June 8, 2006
Gala Concert for Arizona Opera
“(Dolora) Zajick returned with a powerful, emotion-packed rendition of Joan's Aria from Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Orleanskaya deva (The Maid of Orleans), the role she is currently portraying at San Francisco Opera. That was not an easy selection to follow, but when Sean Panikkar sang MacDuff's Aria 'Ah, la paterna mano' from Verdi's Macbeth with smooth, well-controlled legato, the young tenor let the audience know that he is quite worthy of being on the same stage as the mezzo icon.”
Music and Vision, June 2006
Macduff in North Bay Opera’s Macbeth (1847 edition)
“The role of the avenging Macduff was considerably strengthened by Sean Panikkar, a current Adler Fellow from San Francisco Opera. Panikkar’s “Ah, la paterna mano” (Ah, a father’s hand was not here) was a master class in Verdian delivery: beautifully phrased, elegantly sung, and meaningful. And his rousing call-to-arms “La patria tradita” (Our country has been betrayed) was thrilling. He was justly awarded with prolonged applause.”
San FranciscoClassical Voice, March 11, 2006
“Tenor Sean Panikkar, as Macduff, deservedly earned the biggest round of applause at Saturday’s opening-night performance of Verdi’s original 1847 version of “Macbeth.” … Though Panikkar didn’t have exceedingly long stretches onstage, he made the most of his time with richly textured vocal efforts that were sustained and notably consistent throughout. Panikkar boasts a voice full of vim, clarity and straight-ahead beauty, evident in his aria.”
VacavilleReporter, March 15, 2006
“His (Panikkar’s) singing brought down the house.”
Daily Republic, March 15, 2006
Flavio in Opera Colorado’s Norma
“The biggest surprise of the evening was the Flavio, Sean Panikkar, a young American tenor of Sri Lankan heritage. He has a good sized warm voice with a truly exciting sound. He made the most of his small role and held his own ground as an actor with the all star cast. Certainly, he is an artist of whom a great deal more will be heard.”
Music and Vision, February 2006
“…and, as Flavio, Sean Panikkar offered evidence of a tenor worth watching.”
Opera News, May 2006
“Sean Panikkar is a tenor of promise in the brief role of Flavio.”
Daily Camera, February 2006
Basically British Song Recital Series
“Tenor Panikkar displayed a fine, clear lyric voice highlighted by exceptionally clean elocution during the Parry and Tosti works. But then, you may have seen him on the stage in some of the local Opera House productions. He’s a graduate of the Merola Program for young singers and has now advanced to being an Adler Fellow at the S.F. Opera. Tall, good looking, musical, and with superb intonation, Panikkar seems fit for a major career.”
San FranciscoClassical Voice, January 27, 2006
The Future is Now Adler Concert 2005
“There were no balance problems with Sean Panikkar, nor is there any doubt that he will soon become an acclaimed tenor in Global Opera, Inc., but it remains to be seen if he'll be a Wagnerian heldentenor. If he does (and he may), he will add another unique distinction to his resume (in addition to being "the tenor from Sri Lanka"), based on his Wagnerian debut tonight in the role of Macbeth. Come again? It went like this: Panikkar was the only one to appear twice tonight, and that was only right after he "sang" Walther in a "Meistersinger" scene ("Fanget an!"), taken up entirely by Thomas Glenn's brilliant performance as David, instructing the clueless knight in proper academic singing. So Panikkar's Wagnerian debut came in form of listening for some 15 minutes, asking only "what's that?" and encouraging the other to advise him... which Glenn did, hilariously, in a remarkably fluent and authentic performance. When Panikkar returned to sing "Ah, la paterna mano," he was singing Verdi right and proper, but one couldn't help listening for the heldentenor sound he didn't have a chance to display in the Wagner excerpt. It may well be there, but for now, there is no question about his ability in both verismo and bel canto.”
San FranciscoClassical Voice, December 6, 2005
First Prisoner in San Francisco Opera’s Fidelio
“…and the First and Second Prisoners, Sean Panikkar and Eugen Brancoveanu, made the most of their brief roles.”
Contra Costa Times, November 2005
“Partial relief arrived with Christine Brewer's Fidelio...and then with the prisoners' chorus, featuring fine solos from Sean Panikkar and Eugene Brancoveanu - two outstanding Adler Fellows.”
Opera West, November 9, 2005
Flavio in San Francisco Opera’s Norma
“Two Adler Fellows - Sean Panikkar as Flavio and Kimwana Doner as Clotilde - showed off voices and performances more impressive than Jun(Oroveso) or Todorovich (Pollione).”
San Diego Magazine, October 2005
“Sean Panikkar, a current SF Opera Adler fellow, was a sturdy Flavio”
Contra Costa Times, October 2005