Reviews

Scarpia in TOSCA

 

"Without Scarpia, there would be no “Tosca,” and Yiannoudes is a major find. He prowls the stage like a predator exhibiting what can best be described as a reptilian charm and a sociopathic preoccupation with Tosca. Nattily attired in his black uniform, he struts and glowers, far more turned on by the conquest than the “soft consent.” Consumed by his desire for the virtuous Tosca, he allows his obsession to become his doom. In an ironic moment near the end of Act I, as Scarpia plots his seduction and betrayal (“Va, Tosca!”), the townspeople observe Mass — a compelling juxtaposition of evil and goodness. The sadistic Scarpia is a character we can comfortably loathe, and Yiannoudes brings a dark commanding presence to the role, although surely a mane of dark hair, or a long dark wig, would have better suited a man of such base instincts and a lust for violence."

—Press-Register (Mobile, AL), 2011

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Don Filippo Olivarez in DOÑA FLOR

"Vocalità ineccepibile, fraseggio elegante, capacità attoriali coinvolgenti ne fanno una interprete ideale. Ottimo è apparso Constantinos Yiannoudes Olivares), baritono dalla vocalità "importante" che ha interpretato il difficile ruolo del marito geloso e perfido.

Ottimi attori sulla scena e con voce altamente drammatica sia il baritono Constantinos Yiannoudes (Olivares), che ha interpretato ineccepibilmente il personaggio del marito geloso e perfido."

—Città Nostra (Mola di Bari), 2010

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CYPRUS YOUTH ORCHESTRA

"The highlight was baritone Constantinos Yiannoudes who was simply superb. He has a natural stage presence and in Macbeth’s aria Pieta, rispetto amore was most convincing, cleverly alternating between the fierce and agonized highly complex character of Macbeth. His powerful voice had natural vitality and he plumbed the full operatic possibilities with confidence. Yiannoudes’ excerpt from Otello – Credo in un Dio crudel too showed his accomplishments as a singer. His voice has extraordinary color and seemingly limitless technical ease. This was a passionate and emotional performance filled with energy and utmost commitment."

—Cyprus Mail (Nicosia), September 4, 2009

 

Eugene Concert Choir

"The entertaining Constantinos Yiannoudes used his forceful baritone to great dramatic effect in a parlando section from Giaccomo Puccini’s "Il Tabarro" and in a Greek tango."

—The Register-Guard (Oregon), May 12, 2009

"Yiannoudes has a creamy, noble sound, which he used well."

—The Register-Guard (Oregon), May 1, 2007

 

Belcore (L’elisir d’amore)

"Yiannoudes' deep baritone leaves no doubt this man was born to sing, with dynamic stage presence and mastery of the role of Sergeant Belcore in voice and gesture."

—North County News (New York)

"The comic kingpin arrives in the form of baritone Constantinos Yiannoudes, who makes his entrance…with a hilarious choreography of struts, swaggers and poses - and a rather perverse fondness for his helmet. The largest voice on stage belongs to Yiannoudes, a booming instrument well-suited to the cocksure Belcore."

—Metro (San José, CA)

"From the moment he walked onto the stage, Constantinos Yiannoudes, as bombastic Sergeant Belcore, stole the show. Not only does he possess a big baritone voice and a commanding presence, he knows how to milk a situation and a gesture."

—Oakland Tribune (Oakland, CA)

 

Count Almaviva (Le nozze di Figaro)

"Also making a strong impact was Constantinos Yiannoudes as the Count. The Cyprian baritone was an inspired presence. His dark, ample baritone is well-suited to the role of the hypocritical Count, and Yiannoudes delivered a superbly robust Act 3 aria, as well as bringing understated comic flair to the Count's mounting frustration and confusion." 

—Sun-Sentinel (Florida)

"Constantinos Yiannoudes' wily, willful, handsome Count unfurled a strong, rich and vibrant baritone that seemed at ease throughout his range."

—The Observer (Florida), June LeBell-WQXR

"Constantinos Yiannoudes creates a handsome Count Almaviva filled with arrogance, vanity, and an exceptional voice."

—Sarasota Herald Tribune (Florida)

"Constantinos Yiannoudes’ Count is powerfully sung."

—St. Petersburg Times (Florida)

"The aristocracy was the Count’s ticket to paradise. Money, power and a lively libido-he had it all- Yiannoudes is a polished and poised artist, eminently suited to the role."

—North County News

 

Don Giovanni (Don Giovanni)

"Yiannoudes is a fascinating combination of charm and menace, just as he should be."

"The handsome nobleman…[was] dashingly played by baritone Constantinos Yiannoudes."

—Courier Times ( Pennsylvania)

"Baritone Constantinos Yiannoudes sang the role fluently and expressively. "

—The Washington Post

 

Drosselmeir (The Tale of the Nutcracker)

"He sang with consistently burnished, rich tone."

—Opera News

 

Enrico (Lucia di Lammermoor)

"Yiannoudes is a baritone that is so rich, it transfixes the audience with its power."

—North County News (New York), November 15, 2000

"His wonderful voice won him the day."

—The Times Herald-Record (San José, CA)

 

Escamillo (Carmen)

"As Escamillo, the toreador who draws Carmen’s eye, baritone Constantinos Yiannoudes sang stylishly and, in his triumphant entrance, commanded the stage like a celebrity."

—Express News (San Antonio)

"Judging by the bravos, baritone Constantinos Yiannoudes as Escamillo was the hit of the performance. His deep, rich, powerful voice matches his portrayal of the toreador who jumps around like a bull displaying his strength and virility."

—Oakland Tribune

 

Figaro (Il barbiere di Siviglia)

"In his second appearance with Eugene Opera, Constantinos Yiannoudes acted and sang the part perfectly. His face gave away Figaro's love of money, control and high jinks. Yiannoudes as Figaro brought a stentorian baritone voice and solid acting skills."

—The Register Guard

"The cast was headed by a fiery Constantinos Yiannoudes, who linked a Dustin Hoffman-like set of marvelous facial expressions with his rich baritone voice. Letting the patter songs ripple over the tongue with agility was just one of the skills he brought to the title role." 

—Milpitas Post

 

Ford (Falstaff)

"The ear-opener of the evening was the splendid singing of Constantinos Yiannoudes as Ford. He is a fine baritone and a joy to hear."

—San Francisco Classical Voice

 

Germont (La traviata)

"Constantinos Yiannoudes sang well, portraying Germont senior with paternal dignity."

—The New York Times

"Baritone Constantinos Yiannoudes was outstanding as the father scandalized by his son’s liaison with a courtesan…Yiannoudes’ superb singing in concert with Manzi gave credence to the difficult dramatic dilemma…"

—The Register Guard

"The father was Constantinos Yiannoudes whose rich, velvety baritone heightened the dramatic tension…"

—Milpitas Post

 

Il Conte di Luna (Il Trovatore)

"Strong and commanding as Count di Luna, he brooked no rival competing for the love of Leonora. His many portrayals in Taconic Opera productions, calling for raw emotion or high comedy, never disappoint."

— North County News (New York)

 

Marcello (La bohème)

"Constantinos Yiannoudes, making his company debut, was a strong Marcello."

—The New York Times

 

Michele (Il tabarro)

"Baritone Constantinos Yiannoudes as Michele portrayed the role of barge captain with ease and assurance. Yiannoudes was a quietly powerful villain."

—North County News (Yorktown Heights, New York)

 

Rigoletto

"Baritone Constantinos Yiannoudes was exceptionally rich vocally as Rigoletto."

—The Oneida Daily Dispatch

 

Rodolfo (La bohème by Leoncavallo)

"Constantinos Yiannoudes sang a sturdy, moving Rodolfo."

—Opera News (on-line edition), November

 

Scarpia (Tosca)

"New York-based baritone Constantinos Yiannoudes didn’t allow his character to devolve into a caricature of unadulterated evil. Vocally, he held his own, expounding on his wicked scheme in a riveting Act 1 aria, even as extras flooded the stage and conductor Joseph Mechavich’s orchestra played full blast."

—The Forum (North Dakota)

 

Sharpless (Madama Butterfly)

"Baritone Constantinos Yiannoudes has a tremendous voice, consummate grasp of portrayal, and striking resemblance to actor Dustin Hoffman, giving him immense cachet . Ears are attuned to catch every syllable and hearts beat faster when he’s on stage."

—North County News (New York)