"The bass-baritone Riccardo Di Francesco, who I brought to “Il Barbiere di Sevilla” as Bartolo and “Fidelio” as Pizzarro for the Bad Hersfeld Opera Festival, has been a great asset to these productions. Both his singing and acting are highly professional as he brings top-notch artistic skills to each performance. He is always convincing, straightforward and credible, no matter if the part requires a comedian or character actor to play a villain. Rehearsing with him is extremely pleasant. He is quick to understand and gets involved in ensemble work intensely and with great concentration."
HUGO WIEG
Director, singer, teacher at the University of Halle-Wittenberg
"Working with Riccardo Di Francesco was pleasant and inspiring at the same time. He brought a richresounding voice full of character to the ensemble. I remember him best for his calm and patient demeanour which supported the whole project, even in the most hectic and complex situations.His amiable and humorous nature greatly contributed to the team spirit behind the production."
Thomas Herzog
Musical Director of Opera St. Moritz and Opera Basel
"I came to know Riccardo when he worked for the production of Bellini’s Bianca e Fernando in the Engadin and in Basel. For us, opera means more than singing, it also requires singers to be team players and artists willing to rub shoulders with the audience before and after the performance. His qualities as a singer are undisputed and what is more, his ability to work in a team and his relaxed approach to the people in the audience are very convincing because of his charming personality. You cannot help liking Riccardo. I look forward to having him back."
MARTIN GROSSMANN
General Manager of Opera St.Moritz und Opera Basel
"Riccardo Di Francesco’s Bartolo was refreshing, joyful and a vocal feat. It was a pleasure to work with him!"
MAG. NIKOLAUS NETZER
General Manager and Chief Musical Director of Musiktheater Vorarlberg
Bad Hersfeld Opera Award
The Hersfelder Opera Award of the 32nd opera festival was given to Riccardo Di Francesco, for his „vocal, visual, clearly articulated, and authentic impersonation of Don Bartolo in the opera “The Barber of Seville“.
100 syllables in five seconds – with his possibly record breaking performance as Dr. Bartolo in Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville” Riccardo Di Francesco convinced the opera-award jury who attested him a “vocal, visual, clearly articulated, and authentic impersonation” of the challenging role.
"Dotter Bartolo"
from the opera "The barber of seville" by G. Rossini
Bad Hersfelder Festspiele 2011, Germany
13-08-2011
Fuldaer Zeitung:
“Riccardo Di Francesco is in excellent form. With his lusty and technically mature bass, Riccardo Di Francesco gives Don Bartolo a fierce profile. Brilliantly he masters the Prestissimo-firework in his major aria.”
13-08-2011
Hessisch Niedersächsische Allgemeine
“His (Figaro’s) antagonist is Riccardo Di Francesco as Dr. Bartolo who shines with frantic coloraturas and will surely be acclaimed in equal measure.”
13-08-2011
Bad Hersfelder Zeitung
“Riccardo Di Francesco (Dr. Bartolo) counters with the force and gnarled elegance of his baritone, with the possibly record breaking parlandissimo of the aria – 100 syllables in five seconds.”
www.operapoint.com
Riccardo Di Francesco was outstanding as Dr. Bartolo whose aria “Ein Doktor meinesgleichen“ was truly a masterpiece.
from the opera "The Marriage of Figaro" by W. A. Mozart
Werdenberger Schlossfestspiele 2010, St. Gallen, Switzerland
09-08-2011
St. Galler Tagblatt
The captivating performance of Renate Fankhauser (Susanna) together with Riccardo Di Francesco (Figaro) can be described as outstanding.
07-08-2011
Vorarlberger Nachrichten
ro lies in his quick-wittedness; however, at the same time, he is a dubious player. Riccardo Di Francesco bestows his Figaro with convincing stage presence through his voice as well as his performing abilities.
09-08-2011
Liechtensteiner Vaterland
of a carefree and light-footed Riccardo Di Francesco as Figaro.
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