Martyn Hill - tenor
“The cast is outstanding:…Martyn Hill as his militaristic grandfather. Who says opera singers can’t act? One of the best opera films ever.”
Channel 4 film of Owen Wingrave The Sunday Times, London 2004
“The cast is superb…Martyn Hill’s dyspeptic Sir Philip is impossible to watch without fearing for his blood vessels. The whole production is really a triumph.” Channel 4 film of Owen Wingrave Opera Magazine, London 2004
“Martyn Hill makes a rightly terrifying ogre of Sir Philip Wingrave.”
Channel 4 film of Owen Wingrave BBC Music Magazine, London 2004
“..a superbly repulsive Goro from Martyn Hill.”
Madama Butterfly/Royal Opera House Opera Magazine 2003
“..as Achilles, Martyn Hill rose to the poignantly lyrical challenge of his lament for the homeland.” The Times, London 1999
“…the voice is pliant and resourceful, and at times capable of most lovely ‘pure’ singing. He has made many good records, but this, surely, is his masterpiece”
Gramophone 1998 (from review of Grainger Songs for Chandos Records)
“As Grimes, Martyn Hill sang well throughout, but was quite stunning in the harrowing final scene.” Kentish Gazette 1998
"Martyn Hill is most characterful as the whining Red Whiskers." Billy Budd/Erato Disques, Guardian, February 1998
“…the voice contains a wide spectrum of subtlety differentiated colour. The climax of Le Spectre de la Rose was suitably sensual while the pianissimo of the refrain in Sur les lagunes was beautifully judged.” Sydney Morning Herald 1997
“Hill, long admired, is a tenor at the peak of his powers. He ‘acted’ only as great lieder singers do, with eyes, expression, posture matched to mood - and with his voice. His timbre was refined, never pushed, beautifully moulded. Phrase after phrase was pronounced with memorable eloquence. Vowels were beautifully distinct; every work was clear. The softest inflexions carried. The expression was never exaggerated, it was intense, intimate, varied, lyrical with the ‘sacred exhilaration’ that inspired Schubert’s songs.” The Observer, London 1996
“Martyn Hill is a formidable Lieder singer.” Musical Opinion 1995
“Hill sung with a flexible line of melting expressivity…as poignant a fusion of text and music as Tippett ever achieved.” The Times, London 1995
“Martyn Hill sang with dignity and refinement.” Opera 1994
“Martyn Hill overcame this coup de main in superior style....”
Salzberger Nachrichten 1994
“Martyn Hill, a figure a immense vocal authority as the pompous Alexander.”
The Sunday Times 1993