Reviews!
The Times
“Albert Herring review — a tenor masterclass makes Britten zing
As Scottish Opera takes this operatic village comedy to the Corn Exchange in Haddington ahead of Glasgow and Edinburgh shows, Glen Cunningham’s Albert is the star...
“But they all revolve around Glen Cunningham’s terrific portrayal of the title character. He perfectly treads the line between the gangly, overgrown child and the young man about to flower into something new. His Act II monologue is very funny but laced with frustration and a gentle sense of social and sexual awakening, kept in check by Albert’s shyness. It’s a masterclass of character development and musical acting — the finest performance I’ve seen in an opera all year — and his vigorous tenor voice articulates every word perfectly.”
Simon Thompson - September 2024
The Scotsman
“But it’s Glen Cunningham’s Albert that shines brightest, his transformation from cosseted naïf to rum-fuelled man-of-the-world conveyed with charismatic ecstasy, his piercing diction unstintingly clear enough not to require squinting at the surtitles.”
Ken Walton - September 2024
The Guardian
“Impressive debuts, thoughtful characterisations and an Albert who was easy to root for helped Scottish Opera’s production feel remarkably timely”
“Tenor Glen Cunningham supplies an Albert that it is easy to root for, his voice ideal for the role”
Keith Bruce - September 2024
The Stage
“Glen Cunningham makes for a lanky, but surprisingly self-aware Albert, seeming to cotton on early to how he is being used, and with a nice line in gawky physical comedy and a beautifully light-but-penetrating tenor.”
David Kettle - September 2024
"The hero of the evening is tenor Glen Cunningham
ResMusica.com - March 2023
"The revelation of the evening is undoubtedly Glen Cunningham"
Forum Opera - March 2023
The Observer
"Glen Cunningham as Francis Flute, tottering in high heels, let rip in his limelight moment as Thisbe,
high comedy, well handled."
Fiona Maddocks - February 2022
The Guardian
"The role of Flute the bellows mender
(written for Britten’s partner Peter Pears) offers a minor scene-stealing opportunity that Scottish Opera emerging artist Glen Cunningham seizes with both hands, transforming from shy, stuttering lad to campy 19th-century operatic heroine with visual and vocal glee."
Rowena Smith - February 2022
Edinburgh Music Review
"Glen Cunningham, gave a stylish rendition of the recitative “Comfort Ye” and the aria “Ev’ry Valley”...
Glen has appeared onstage in Edinburgh recently, as Flute in Britten’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ with Scottish Opera, as an emerging artist, and I found his performance in that role outstanding. I have appeared in many productions of ‘Dream’ over the years, with some truly fine artists, and I felt that his Flute was up there with the best. Watch out for this young singer! Later on, he nailed the difficult aria “Thou shalt break them”, with its high A. Bravo!"
Brian Bannatyne-Scott - April 2022
The Herald
"Tenor Glen Cunningham, a fine Francis Flute, the role played by Britten’s partner Peter Pears in the original cast."