Tenor | Professor of Voice | Musicologist
Selected Reviews
War Wedding, “Voice of this Generation” (Philadelphia)
“Vickers wore jeans and a flannel shirt in honor of the concert's come-as-you-are theme, but his regal bearing and crystalline projection of the often-lurid text belied any suggestion that this premiere was not a momentous occasion. The world premiere of Solitro’s War Wedding was the heftiest item on the program: a 25-minute song cycle set to a series of vivid, phantasmagoric poems by World War II Anglo-Welsh poet Alun Lewis. The cycle was commissioned and performed by lyric tenor Justin Vickers.”
— Karen Rile, “Brave New Voices” in Penn Gazette (October 28, 2011)
Lucrezia Borgia, Opera Boston
“Justin Vickers brings a soothing, beautiful quality to his singing that, along with his handsome good looks, is a shoo-in for winning over the heart of Lucrezia and the acclaim of the audience.”
— James A Lopata, In Newsweekly (May 3, 2006)
“Singing the character of Gennaro, Lucrezia’s son, was tenor Justin Vickers who sang with considerable emotional involvement. Mr. Vickers, like the rest of this exceptional cast, gave a strong showing for himself in the two areas where 'showing’ counts, in his singing and acting. He was believable throughout, and his acting was superb.”
— Paul Joseph Walkowski, OperaOnline.us (April 30, 2006)
Die Zauberflöte, Hawaii Opera Theatre
“Vickers’ young lyric tenor was idealistic and sympathetic… [he] delivered the strongest performance.”
— Ruth O. Bingham, Honolulu Star-Bulletin (February 16, 2003)
Of Mice and Men, The Washington Opera
“Justin Vickers, as the Ballad Singer, has a voice that stands out for its beauty.”
— Philip Kennicott, The Washington Post (October 22, 2001)
Les Huguenots, Opera Orchestra of New York, Carnegie Hall
“…the fine young tenor, Justin Vickers.”
— Anthony Tommasini, The New York Times (April 25, 2001)
Lucrezia Borgia, Opera Orchestra of New York, Carnegie Hall
“…in the important part of Rustighello, tenor Justin Vickers manifested a sweet, flexible voice and a lively, highly specific projection of the text that could set an excellent example for singers on this and other stages. A defintie asset to Lucrezia Borgia, Vickers is a talent to be watched.”
— Freeman Günter, Classical Singer (April 2000)
Lucrezia Borgia, Opera Orchestra of New York, Young Artist Performance, New Jersey
“…blushingly fresh-sounding tenor Justin Vickers as Gennaro.”
“Vickers was an irresistable Gennaro… The voice, whose center of balance sits naturally high in the tenor's range, has a compelling, crystalline quality with a natural sense of placement of pitch, so that his singing felt fresh, vigorous and unhindered.”
— Willa J. Conrad, New Jersey Star-Ledger (February 14, 2000)
Idomeneo, Wolf Trap Opera Company
“Justin Vickers, bringing a regal bearing to the title character in ‘Idomeneo.’”
“In the aria ‘Fuor del mar,’ [he] got inside the title role-both vocally and theatrically—and portrayed the despair of a king who must sacrifice his son.”
— Pierre Ruhe, The Washington Post (June 28, 1999)
“As Idomeneo, tenor Justin Vickers displayed a well-molded voice, his clear diction and emotionally charged delivery in the recitatives establishing the character. From his first aria, ‘Vedrommi intorno,’ into Act II's ‘Fuor del mar,’ Vickers offered distinct character development… The Act III quartet among Idomeneo, Ilia, Idamante and Elettra brought some of the evening’s best singing.”
— Sorab Modi, Opera News (November 1999)
Messiah, Lexington Philharmonic
“Tenor Justin Vickers displayed an impressive legato, smoothly turning every trill, run and embellishment in ‘Ev’ry Valley’ and with sterling tone and clarity in ‘Thou Shalt Break Them.’”
— Carmen Geraci, Lexington Herald-Leader (December 12, 1998)