CRITICS, REVIEWS and AWARDS
Mr.Peytchinov took first prize in the
American Opera Auditions in 1990,
and was a finalist in the
Luciano Pavarotti Competition in 1993.
He is a Sullivan Foundation winner
as well as an
Olga Forrai Foundation winner.
"...And what deranged wrath from Valentin Peytchinov..! With supreme control throughout his range, Peytchinov held the audience spellbound with his demonic rant, a man crazed by love, suspicion and betrayal...
As Iolanthe's father the King, Valentin Peytchinov was once again majestic and headstrong, his resonant bass rich with authority.."
Cunthia Dann-Beardsley
Opera Canada
"...Not to be autdone, the bass Valentin Peytchinov ( who shares a teacher with the renowned Samuel Ramey) made a big, noble noise, articulated hes words with textbook clarity, and tossed in a generous sprinkling of unwritten Fs and Gs, both high and low, without thereby violating musical decorum [I Lombardi]..."
Matthew Gurewitsch
New York Magazine
"...Peytchinov...,with a big-gun voice and two-and-a-half octave range as powerful on the bottom as on the top...[I Lombardi]"
Bill Zakariasen
The Westsider (New York)
"...The outstanding cast member was bass Valentin Peytchinov in the title role...He was physically the perfect Attila. He is a commanding actor, and he sang every wide-ranging phrase with a biting resonance that was impossible to fault."
Bill Zakariasen
Chelsea Clinton News (New York)
"...The excellent bass, Valentin Peytchinov, sang Lanciotto with a tone of burnished ebony, wringing every ounce of drama from his brooding character (originally written for Rachmaninoff's friend, the great Chaliapin)..."
Elizabeth Jayne
Opernwelt, Germany
"..Bulgarian Valentin Peytchinov was quite impressive in the Shostakovich song "A Fragment", accompanied by Mr.Dichter..."
Fred Kirshnit
The New York Sun
"..Mr. Peytchinov sang the solo line of the "Babi Yar" Symphony with great transparency, robustly supported by the Riverside Choral Society..."
Allan Kozinn
The New York Times
"...Valentin Peytchinov, as Zaccaria, projects a big bass voice capable of sufficient flexibility to negotiate those demanding fiorituri Verdi pitilessly wrote for this heaviest of male voices. He was impressive as a Hebrew king, clinging to his faith against the mad idolater of Baal, Nabucco..."
Florence Fischer
Sarasota Herald-Tribune (Florida)
"...Bass Valentin Peytchinov, as Amalia's hate-filled grandfather Fiesco was excellent, his aria "Il lacerate spirito" set the dark mood and his reconciliation with Boccanegra at the end was deeply moving..."
Hugh Fraser
The Spectator(Hamilton,Ont.,Canada)
"...Lanciotto - a darkly complex and powerful role which Rachmaninoff wrote for the great Chaliapin - was sung by the excellent basso Valentin Peytchinov. His grand vocal manner and extraordinary dramatic communication matched the role perfectly and was strongly reminiscent of his great Bulgarian countryman Boris Christoff...
Peytchinov triumphed again with his sensitive portrait of the overly-protective father, King Rene..."
John Koopman
Das Opern Glas (Germany)
"...Valentin Peytchinov, a fine young bass, brought huge,dark tone and resounding low Fs to his imposing Jacopo Fiesco..."
John Koopman
Das Opern Glas (Germany)
"...Presented as a Russian double-header, the infrequently heard one-acts, "Francesca" and "Iolanthe", were particularly refreshing. They showed off sensationally a robust young and poised bass, Valentin Peytchinov..."
Bud Collins
The Boston Sunday Globe (U.S.A.)
"...Returning after a highly successful debut last season, Valenti Peytchinov, bass, continues to add to his already impressive reputation with two outstanding performances. In both operas, - "Franceska Da Ramini"and "Iolanthe"- he has a monologue which, with his warm, big and expressive voice, he delivered in a riveting manner. I would think that, someday, hi will make a brilliant "Boris Godounov"..."
Ken Blount
Travel/Leisure (Florida)
"...Dignity, depth of emotion and dramatic delivery mark his performances. His voice is dark and rich, evenly produced from top to bottom and fills the house with glorious sound..."
Kenneth Blount
The Gondolier (Florida)
"...Nabucco is a rambunctious work, long on excitement and short on subtlety, which is why the delicate cantabile by Zaccaria, the high priest of the Hebrews (bass Valentin Peytchinov), with its cello accompaniment, was such a highlight..."
John Fleming
The Times (Florida)
"...Peytchinov was a compelling singer, with impressive articulation and expression in the lower register. By sheer vocal artistry, he gave his cuckold a tragic weight and sympathy. A duet by him and Charbonnet was chillingly dramatic..."
John Fleming
The Times (Florida)
"...Valentin Peytchinov is an outstanding and admirable Zaccaria, the high priest ofJerusalem. His "Sperate, o figli" is lovely and impressive. "Del future nel buio discerno", encompassing two octaves, is an excellent example of stirring, emotionally beautiful bass singing..."
Kenneth Blount
The Gondolier (Venice)
"...Bass Valentin Peytchinov proved a powerful Lanciotto whose characterization could scarcely be bettered; nor was his voice damped by the rich orchestral fabric...Peytchinov's characterization of Rene combined the commanding monarch and concerned father admirably..."
F. Warren O'Reilly
American Record Guide (U.S.A)
"...Basso Valentin Peytchinov's deep, strong bass voice was more than equal to the emotional and vocal demands of the role, easily riding above the tumultuous orchestra, while his acting skills evoked sympathy for the tormented husband."
Florence Fischer
Sarasota Herald-Tribune (Florida)
"...Bass Valentin Peytchinov, Bulgarian-born second-year student at Juilliard's American Opera Center, made a memorable American professional debut in this single performance [of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony].With only a few days to prepare for the 7,000-foot altitude, he rolled out the opening solo with experienced vigor, reflecting the energy of the entire production."
William Dunning
Los Alamos Monitor (Santa Fe, N.M.)