Chioldi became more comfortable as the opera progressed and “Lacrime e sangue dà la Francia!” justifiably deserved the donations from the ostensibly impoverished cittadine. There was powerful singing in the pivotal “Nemico della patria” aria with some robust marcato top E naturals on “e mentre uccido io piango!” The burst of lyricism on “La coscienza nei cuor ridestar delle genti” built to a wonderful climax with a rock-solid sustained F sharp on “un sol bacio.” By the fff top F sharp on “saprò” before the trial scene, Chioldi was very much on vocal terra firma.

The baritone role claims centre stage right from the start which Michael Chioldi ably achieves; he also received a fine ovation for «Nemico de la patria». As far as I can tell this was his European debut in a staged opera - he seemed pleased with his reception as well he should be.

Baritone Michael Chioldi was the star of the evening in this production. Of the principals, his was the most realistic portrayal, with a baritone which was plangent and multi-layered. There was a feeling of sorrow that I felt for his Baron which I have never felt for Milnes, Morris, MacNeil, or any of the other Scarpia's of my generation. His ardor and lust for Tosca was obvious, but he managed to convey a loneliness and tenderness that heretofore has been missing in many portrayals of my experience. His singing of his act two aria, "Ha piu forte sapore" was a highlight.

Michael Chioldi’s Scarpia commands the stage and infuses the chief of police with the evil that he acknowledges when he compares himself with Shakespeare’s arch-villain, Iago, a portrayal distinguished by vocal power that rages over the excellent chorus and orchestra without compromising timbre or intonation, yet is sweetly lyrical when Scarpia feigns civility.

Even more fully-shaped and masterfully depicted was the Scarpia of Michael Chioldi, a favorite with this company – and justly so. Chioldi is the complete artist: a genuine singing actor with a large gorgeous baritone sound, expert musicianship and stage savvy that makes every one of his portrayals a believable human being. In this case, the “human” element was appropriately lacking. Chioldi’s Scarpia was the personification of evil, stentorian in sound but also subtly nuanced and quite terrifying.

Baron Scarpia, the police chief of Rome, appears on most opera lovers’ lists of favorite villains, with his effortless hypocrisy and Dracula-like pleasure in his own evil. His black cape swirling as strutted around the stage, a leather riding quirt in his hand, the baritone Michael Chioldi gave a convincing portrait of a man wholly untroubled by conscience as he used spies and torture to pursue a sexual obsession.

Chioldi made a strong and aptly villainous impression. He brought lusty relish to his voice as he described Cavaradossi’s torture to Tosca, alternately bullying and cajoling her as her pursued his true goal.

Michael Chioldi’s clear diction and strong projection left the audience wishing that Abimélech did not have to meet his demise so early in the plot.

As the High Priest, Michael Chioldi delivered a robust, muscular tone and kinetic phrasing, while conveying the character’s slimy side with extra flair...

As an example of luxury casting, the Dallas Opera engaged the impressive American baritone Michael Chioldi for the relatively brief role of Abimelech.

Chioldi, who is usually entrusted with lead roles [see Michael Chioldi, Micaela Oeste Enrich Washington National Opera’s Theatrically Absorbing “Hamlet” – May 22, 2010] gave a solid performance as the embattled Philistine.

The rest of the cast is equally strong (as Borodina and Forbis).  Michael Chioldi brings Abimélech to life.

Michael Chioldi, in the role of the vicious Abimelech, gives a spirited and naturalistic performance, but is dead by the middle of Act 1.

A very strong supporting cast matched the vocal qualities of Borodina and Forbis with baritone Michael Chioldi as Abimelech.

Similarly did baritone Michael Chioldi (High Priest of Dagon)....... deliver impressively strong singing and solidly dramatic performance, helping direct adversarial thoughts about power and religion.

Michael Chioldi as the Priest offers an earth-rumbling baritone with peals of power and an artist’s precision.

Michael Chioldi’s High Priest, by contrast, oozed confidence and vocal power to match Goeldner, giving the listener no doubts about who was really in love with whom.

Notables from the supporting cast include Michael Chioldi as the High Priest of Dagon and Stefan Szkafarowsky’s portrayal of an Old Hebrew. Chioldi is sonorous and strong like a trombone with a commanding presence.

The baritone Michael Chioldi as the High Priest of Dagon has a powerful Act II show-down with Delilah and makes the character straightforward and unwavering.

Michael Chioldi gave the High Priest of Dagon a lecherous interpretation with his commanding voice.

Lending a great voice to tragedy -

Wednesday’s dress rehearsal at the Marble Museum proved a beautiful and deeply powerful experience, up close and personal.

But it was the storytelling that was most impressive. Chioldi, who made his Metropolitan Opera debut in 1996 in “Andrea Chenier” with Luciano Pavarotti, is a big-voiced baritone with a broad palette of colors at his disposal.

Although this work is sometimes performed by three singers, Chioldi moved from one character to another. The text ranges from commentary by Knut Fraenkel, who chastises the leader’s ego, credited with the expedition’s demise. Much more personal are Strindberg’s letters to his beloved wife, Anna, from excitement to loneliness. And Andrée’s are more factual and, in their own way, more haunting.

Argento and, in turn, Chioldi created a dramatic and emotional arc that drew the audience into this intimate storytelling. Although the baritone was suffering a cold Wednesday, his expression delivered the intensity of the drama and the depth of the characters’ experience. It didn’t hurt that Chioldi’s diction was outstanding, making it very easy to follow.

Craig Colclough—also Arizona Opera’s Falstaff—repeated his grandly vocalized, specific and convincing portrait. His strong baritone was matched by the idiomatic, incisively sung Ford of Michael Chioldi. Chioldi and the wonderfully enjoyable Caroline Worra made a sexy couple, well matched in refulgent sound and pointed word painting.

Baritone Michael Chioldi as Ford belted out arias in the second act that were memorable for their passionate intensity.

Michael Chioldi, an impressive baritone whose rich tone and gorgeous, dark timbre, coupled with his soulful, honest approach to Sharpless, makes his my favorite performance.

...a truly world class experience, from the first moments until the final heartrending notes, every breathless second holds the audience in rapt awe. The entire cast is magnificent, every note is perfection, a study in beauty and passion. Michael Chioldi as Sharpless, gives a heartfelt performance as a man caught between the two lovers.

Michael Chioldi’s smooth baritone and stagewise presence made him a memorable Ondino, especially appealing when singing such nonsense syllables as “Brekekekex! Brekekekex!” and “Quorax! Quorax!”

But everyone really sat up and took notice each time Michael Chioldi sang a few measures as the lizard Ondino. His two solos expressing his longing for Rautendelein pealed out in a huge, rich baritone that made one long to hear him take on the greatest of Italian baritone roles, from Verdi’s Macbeth to Zandonai’s Gianciotto.

Michael Chioldi as her friend and later her husband, the lizard, has a big and beautifully colored baritone voice.

The outstanding exception was baritone Michael Chioldi, as l’Ondino, a water spirit. He was consistently audible, expressive, in character, spontaneous, and fully related to everything onstage. This was a lovely, deeply considered performance, all the more remarkable for being carried out in a reptile-suit, with a tail.

Standouts among the large cast include the baritone Michael Chioldi, who booms and blusters as Ondino, king of the frogs, covered in scales.

Baritone Michael Chioldi, a smooth, even tone with an aura of menace.

..and Michael Chioldi's stentorian baritone was heard to imposing effect as L'Ondino.