“George Gagnidze was very assured in his handling of the role…the clarity of his [vocal] color, the uniqueness of its timbre, and its deep resonance give him a truly special quality.”

Carlos Ernesto Ure, La Prensa

“The Georgian baritone’s robust voice and skillful acting made for a compelling Rigoletto, rough and commanding yet pitiable and surprisingly relatable. He earnestly conveyed the inner bitterness of the wretched comedian as well as the vulnerability of a man fearful of losing his treasure in life – his darling daughter Gilda. As he recalls and dwells upon the curse (“la maledizione”) placed upon him by Monterone… Gagnidze reveals Rigoletto’s fearfulness and superstitious nature, highlighting the character’s awareness of the consequences of wrongdoing. In this way, the character became more than a seedy clown and overbearing father – he became relatable … The final scene was a high point of Gagnidze’s performance: … Despite the jester’s dejected spirit, his taunts, his plot to kill the Duke, Gagnidze managed to make him, in this moment, a man with whom the audience could empathize. … The baritone’s final defeated cry of the curse was haunting – in fact, it sent a chill down my spine.”

Nicole Kuchta, Opera Wire

“George Gagnidze was a very fine Rigoletto in every regard, with his sizeable voice evenly produced throughout the music’s vast range. Mr. Gagnidze’s “Pari siamo”, and his ensuing scene with Sparafucile were vividly sung, and then the baritone waxed sadly tender as he sang to Gilda of her late mother, and with haunting lyricism in “O veglia, o donna”, where he instructs the nurse Giovanna to guard well his beloved daughter (a task at which Giovanna fails miserably)…Having been taunted by the “courtiers” (I suppose here we should call them the “Rat Pack”), Mr. Gagnidze unleashes a powerful fury with “Cortigiani, vil razza dannata…”, and then, driven to desperation, he pleads most movingly (“Miei signori…”) as he begs for the return of his daughter. This is one of Verdi’s greatest – and most human – portraits, and it was really touching today.”

Oberon, Oberon’s Grove: My Met Score Desk