Press
LE TEMPS:
(Geneva)
When he sings “Clair de Lune” de Fauré, ou “Chanson Triste” from Duparc, one can hear a pure diction. And the tone of his tenor voice all at once clear and warm…This “Musical Voyage” is for Gilbert-Michel Rolle the achievement of a long and sustained work, the recognition of his talent as a performer and a tribute to the beauty of his vocal range.
Myriam Meuwly
THE WASHINGTON POST:
(Washington D.C.)
“Swiss Tenor Gilbert-Michel Rolle has a lyrical voice and adapted it skillfully to the emotions deeply anchored in Schubert’s finest work, Monday’s being three of his most cosmic lieder. Rolle lent vibrant energy to songs by Caldara, Lalo and Fauré.”
Cecelia Porter
THE WASHINGTON POST:
“The program, which marked the young singer’s first Washington appearance, encompassed four languages and crossed stylistic boundaries as well. A number of French melodies were particularly well suited. With unaffected charm, Rolle shaped the exquisite flow of melody in Duparc’s “Chanson Triste” as if the musical line itself contained the consolation longed for in the text
Thomas May
THE BAY TIMES:
(San Francisco)
“In San Francisco last Friday, Swiss tenor Gilbert-Michel Rolle made a tasteful Bay area recital debut and offered a performance truer to the liederabend tradition than anything I have heard in recent memory. Rolle’s voice is expressive, with warm colors.”
Ching Chang
LA LIBERTE:
(Fribourg, Switzerland)
“Saturday, a large public welcomed back in Fribourg the tenor Gilbert-Michel Rolle. Arriving from New York, the artist presents an eclectic and attractive recital. In the second part of the concert, the sunlights of the American Musicals fit very well Rolle’s voice… He gives to the text the necessary rhythmic freedom… He takes a real pelasure (and the public as well) to move in the water of Rodgers, Arlen or Bernstein. The voice is centered, round, the tenor moves at ease and holds the public’s attention.”
LE MATIN:
(Lausanne, Switzerland)
“Since six years, the tenor Gilbert-Michel Rolle lives in the USA, where his vocal qualities have brought him gratifying contracts. This son of Rueyres-St-Laurent gives tonight in Fribourg a concert including baroques and classical arias, Spirituals and excerpts from famous Musicals…To be seen and heard!”
LA LIBERTE:
(Fribourg, Switzerland)
“In three Italian arias, Rolle mastered easily the language of Dante, as well as the harmonious flesh of the melody. In Schubert, Rolle’s voice found its resonant quality and its power. The language of Goethe this time incited the singer to the beautiful musical sentence, the right and expressive articulation. Rolle’s voice was quasi perfect in Hugo Wolf’s “Mignon II” from Hugo Wolf… Talent, expressive presence and style are all present.”
LE TEMPS:
(Genève)
“Ce Musical Voyage est l’aboutissement, pour Gilbert-Michel Rolle d’un travail long et soutenu, la reconnaissance surtout de la diversité de son talent d’interprète et le charme de sa palette vocale… On n’entend qu’une diction pure. Et le timbre clair et chaud de sa voix de ténor.“
Myriam Meuwly
THE WASHINGTON POST:
(Washington D.C.)
“Swiss tenor Gilbert-Michel Rolle has a lyrical voice and adapted it skillfully to the emotions deeply anchored in Schubert’s finest work, (those) being three of his most cosmic lieder. Rolle lent vibrant energy to songs by Caldara, Lalo and Faure.”
Cecelia Porter
THE WASHINGTON POST:
“The Program, which marked the young singer’s first
Washington appearance, encompassed four languages and crossed stylistic boundaries as well… A number of French Melodies were particularly well suited. With unaffected charm, Rolle shaped the exquisite flow of melody in Duparc’s “Chanson Triste” as if the musical line itself contained the consolation longed for in the text…”
Thomas May
THE BAY TIMES:
(San Francisco)
“In San Francisco last Friday, Swiss tenor Gilbert-Michel Rolle made a tasteful Bay area recital debut and offered a performance truer to the liederabend tradition than anything I have heard in recent memory. Rolle’s voice is expressive, with warm colors.”
Ching Chang
LA LIBERTE:
(Fribourg, Suisse.)
“Samedi, un public nombreux accueillait le Ténor Fribourgeois Gilbert-Michel Rolle. Revenant de New York, l’artiste présente un récital dont l’éclectisme fait l’attrait… Dans la seconde partie “Les sunlights des «Musicals» américains conviennent tout à fait à son timbre. Il donne au texte la liberté rythmique qui lui convient. Il prend un réel plaisir (et le public aussi) à se mouvoir dans les eaux de Rodgers, Arlen ou Bernstein. La voix est ronde,centrée,le chanteur bouge avec aisance et tient son auditoire…Le charme opère.
LE MATIN:
(Lausanne, Suisse)
“Gilbert-Michel Rolle est installé aux Etats-Unis où ses qualités vocales lui valent des engagements gratifiants. L’enfant de Rueyres-St-Laurent donne ce soir, à Fribourg, un récital comprenant des airs baroques et classiques, des Spirituals et des thèmes tirés de grandes comédies musicales…A voir et à entendre.
LA LIBERTE:
(Fribourg, Suisse.)
“Dans trois airs italiens Gilbert-Michel Rolle maîtrise aisément la langue de Dante, ainsi que le chantournement harmonieux de la mélodie. Dans Schubert…la voix de Rolle trouve son timbre, sa qualité sonore et sa puissance. La langue cette fois-ci de Goethe, incite le chanteur au beau phrasé, la juste et expressive articulation. Celle-ci est quasi parfaite dans “Mignon II” de Hugo Wolf…Le talent, la présence expressive, la conscience du style ne manquent pas. »