REVIEWS

  • Ein Glücksfall ist der junge Bariton Samuel Chan als Wolfram, er singt ihn mit solch lyrischem Balsam und Samt, solcher vokalen Aufrichtigkeit, solcher Empathie für die von ihm platonisch geliebte Elisabeth und seinen Freund Tannhäuser, der ihm die Frau wegnimmt. / The young baritone Samuel Chan is a stroke of luck in the role of Wolfram; he sings it with such lyrical balm and velvet, such vocal sincerity, and such empathy for Elisabeth—whom he loves platonically—and for his friend Tannhäuser, who takes the woman away from him.

    Peter Krause, Concerti.de

    Photo: Olaf Struck

    Kritik/Review

  • L'elisir d'amore (21.03.2026): Abgerundet wurde dieses Solist:innen-Ensemble durch Samuel Chan, der als eitler Sergeant Belcore mit markigem Bariton und komischem Machismo punktete.../ The ensemble of soloists was rounded out by Samuel Chan, who impressed as the vain Sergeant Belcore with a robust baritone and comic machismo...

    Sebastian Schack, Kiel Erleben

    Photo: Olaf Struck

  • L'elisir d'amore (21.03.2026): Der Bariton Samuel Chan zeichnet den Offizier Belcore als uniformierten Narziss mit betörend jung timbrierten und noblem Bariton. / Baritone Samuel Chan portrays the officer Belcore as a uniformed Narcissus, using a noble baritone voice with a captivatingly youthful timbre.

    Christian Strehk, Kieler Nachrichten

    Photo: Olaf Struck

  • Don Pasquale (12.05.2025): ... Gemeinsam mit Samuel Chan als Doktor Malatesta begeistert er im dritten Akt mit dem berühmten Duett „Cheti, cheti immantinente“, einem wahren Paradebeispiel für die komödiantische Brillanz Donizettis. / ... Together with Samuel Chan as Doctor Malatesta, he delights the audience in the third act with the famous duet “Cheti, cheti immantinente”—a true prime example of Donizetti’s comedic brilliance.

    Sebastian Schack - KielerLeben

    Photo: Olaf Struck

  • Madama Butterfly, Toronto (26.01.2025): “The excellent, large supporting cast was made up of many current and former members of the COC Ensemble Studio as well as guest artists… ... The beautifully sung Yamadori of former COC Ensemble baritone Samuel Chan was also deserving of praise.”

    - Joseph So, Opera Canada

    Photo: Michael Cooper

  • Madama Butterfly, Toronto (26.01.2025): “Everything clicked today in the Canadian Opera Company presentation of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly at the Four Seasons Centre… …There were no weak spots in the cast… …Samuel Chan was an intriguing Yamadori, singing some of my favourite music in the opera (i always desperately wish Butterfly would accept his proposal, but sigh it never happens). Whether Yamadori is an unattractive older fellow being pushed by the opportunistic Goro or the handsome younger one we saw today, the scene serves as a light interruption in the tragic plot.

    - Lez Barcza, barczablog.com

    photo: Michael Cooper

  • Die Fledermaus, Kiel (09.11.2024): Die männlichen Teilnehmenden darf man ebenfalls in diesem ersten Teil kennen lernen, der im Programmheft die Phase der „Vorfreude“ genannt wird. Es ist ein Arsenal verkorkster Typen, Gabriels „Freund“ Falke ausgenommen, der von Samuel Chan überzeugend gespielt und gesungen wird. Er ist ein Strippenzieher mit Klasse.

    - Arndt Voß, Neue Musik Zeitung (NMZ Online)

    translation: Samuel Chan

    Photo: Olaf Struck

  • Philharmonisches Konzert: Funkenschlag, Philharmonisches Orchester Kiel (29.09.2024): … the ballad “Der Feuerreiter” with the pianist Beatrice Berrut: The Talented Canadian baritone Samuel Chan takes the risk of trying to conjure up the famous mill fire behind the mountain in the inhospitable giant hall. He succeeds in doing so brilliantly, using vocal techniques up to the bewitchingly beautiful head register- …

    - Christian Strehk, Kieler Nachrichten

    translation, Samuel Chan

    Photo: Kieler Nachrichten

  • La Cenerentola, Theater Kiel (11.03.2024): Samuel Chan also seems completely in his element: as a babbling baritone and as a strange stage character. Unlike the distinguished, observant real prince, he adds a comedic affectation to his Dandini as a deputy."

    - Christian Strehk, Kieler Nachrichten

    translation: Samuel Chan

    Photo: Olaf Struck

  • Falstaff, Theater Kiel (09.12.2023): Ford, Alice's jealous husband, who gets wind of Falstaff's intended love adventure, is played ravishingly by Samuel Chan, who impresses with his elegant and melodious baritone voice.

    - G. Helbig, Das Opernglas Magazin

    translation, Samuel Chan

    Photo: Olaf Struck

  • La Bohème, Theater Kiel (14.09.2023): ...Acting and singing about disappointment through hope, and of madness in love, Samuel Chan impressed with his agile and powerful baritone.

    Arndt Voß, Neue Musik Zeitung (NMZ Online)

    translation, Samuel Chan

    Photo: Olaf Struck

  • Iolanta, Theater Kiel (10.01.2023): Samuel Chan embodies Robert with a beautiful voice...All of the voices harmonize so well with the score that a concert performance of this homogeneous line-up would have already been a great pleasure.

    Marc Rohde, Onlinemerker

    translation, Samuel Chan

    Photo: Olaf Struck

  • Così fan tutte, Theater Kiel (17.09.2022): Vigidis Bergitte Unsgård (Fiordiligi), Tatia Jibladze (Dorabella), Xenia Cumento (Despina), César Cortés (Ferrando), Samuel Chan (Guglielmo) and Jörg Sabrowski as Don Alfonso play in the tension field of this mixed situation. They are all characterized not only by very graceful singing, calm coloratura and recitations from Mozart's time, but also by their completely convincing performances.

    - Werner Bodendorff, Schleswig-Holsteinisches Landeszeitung

    translation, Samuel Chan

    Photo: Olaf Struck

  • Die Zauberflöte, Theater Kiel (15.12.21) ...The second young couple, Samuel Chan as Papageno and Mengqi Zhang as Papagena, mastered their lively roles beautifully...– Arndt Voß, NMZ Online

    – Arndt Voß, NMZ Online

    translation, Samuel Chan

    Photo: Olaf Struck