Photo: Prudence Upton
LA BOHÈME
Opera Australia
“The feisty, amorous chemistry between Jane Ede and Christopher Tonkin’s Marcello was convincing. The tall and charismatic baritone is both dramatically and vocally accomplished.” MORE
– Patricia Maunder, Bachtrack, 9 Nov 2018
Photo: Prudence Upton
LA BOHÈME
Opera Australia
“In a very masculine incarnation of Marcello, baritone Christopher Tonkin gives a naturalistic, understated performance that commands attention through sheer charisma. Marcello’s tempestuous relationship with Musetta can often be seen as a lesser backdrop to the two lead lovers; here, it is all the more believable due to Tonkin’s sincere focus.” MORE
– Simon Parris, Man In Chair, 8 Nov 2018
Photo: Jeff Busby
LA BOHÈME
Opera Australia
”Christopher Tonkin as Marcello stands out as a most rounded and plausible character. The directorial decision to reunite Marcello and Musetta as they tear clothes off one another in the background to the Act Three love duet gives the audience a deeper appreciation of the macho charisma Mr. Tonkin generates.” MORE
– Gregory Pritchard, Concerto Net, 7 Nov 2018
Photo: Kristoffer Myhre
TROUBLE IN TAHITI
Lost and Found Opera
“Tonkin’s creamy baritone and sweet falsetto were a treat to listen to in close proximity while his chiselled features and contemptuous body language gave an extra arrogance to There’s a Law.” MORE
– Rosalind Appleby, Limelight Magazine, 15 May 2017
Photo: Jörg Landsberg
DER TRAUMGÖRGE
Hannover Staatsoper
”Christopher Tonkin impressed not only with a classy, cultivated baritone, but also with his dance routine.” (translated from German) MORE
– Bernd Stopka, Online Musik Magazin, 16 April 2016
Photo: Jörg Landsberg
DER TRAUMGÖRGE
Hannover Staatsoper
”Christopher Tonkin’s suavely sung, full-of-himself Hans stole every scene he was in.” MORE
– Matthew Rye, Distant Sounds, 16 April 2016
Photo: Jeff Busby
NIXON IN CHINA
Victorian Opera
“The quiet dignity and urbanity of Chou En-lai, played by Christopher Tonkin, binds various strands together. This is a delicately nuanced performance and surely it will not be too long before we see this fine performer singing this role on international stages.” MORE
– Bevan Leviston, ArtsHub, 22 May 2013
Photo: Jörg Landsberg
COSI FAN TUTTE
Hannover Staatsoper
"Christopher Tonkin as Guglielmo and Sung-Keun Park as Ferrando make two musically complementary friends with melting voices, fluent cantilenas and refined phrasing.” (translated from German) MORE
– Hartmut Jakubowsky, Cellesche Zeitung, 13 Jan 2013
Photo: Lindsay Kearney
CAPRICCIO
Opera Australia
"Christopher Tonkin was simply superb as the Countess’ brother. A tall and striking man with a substantial voice and honeyed tone, he illuminated the character of the Count easily making merry with his foibles for women, insensitivity to the arts and high opinion of himself. He showed considerable comic flair.”
– Opera Insider, 10 Jul 2011
Photo: Lindsay Kearney
CAPRICCIO
Opera Australia
“Christopher Tonkin, as the sandwich-short-of-a-sophisticated spread Count, is the very epitome of self-indulgent ignorance. Here, but for savvy, is the Hugh Hefner of French flapperdom.” MORE
– Lloyd Bradford Syke, Crikey, 5 July 2011
Photo: Jeff Busby
L’ELISIR D’AMORE
Victorian Opera
“Tonkin as Sergeant Belcore was the stand-out performer, portraying his character’s charismatic, gum-chewing arrogance vividly, reflected equally in his brilliant bass voice.” MORE
– Olympia Bowman-Derrick, Australian Stage, 17 Aug 2008
Photo: Mark Whitehouse
LE NOZZE DI FIGARO
Royal Academy Opera
“The Count, as sung by Christopher Tonkin, can rarely have been played with such handsome arrogance.”
– Michael Tanner, The Spectator, 21 Nov 2007
BEETHOVEN SYMPHONY 9
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
“Baritone Christopher Tonkin blazoned out the opening recitative call to arms."
– Clive O’Connell, The Age, 13 Dec 2006
THE MESSIAH
Chichester Singers, Chichester Cathedral
“Particularly impressive was the young Australian (baritone) Christopher Tonkin who sang with dramatic authority. In the recitative, Darkness Shall Cover the Earth, he produced a haunting and dramatic atmosphere.”
– Graham Hewitt, Chichester Observer, 12 Dec 2007
IOLANTA
Royal Academy Opera
“Christopher Tonkin revealed a gloriously rich baritone.”
– Richard Fawkes, Opera Now, Nov/Dec 2007
L’ENFANT ET LES SORTILEGES
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
“Baritone Christopher Tonkin delighted the audience with impish glances and brilliant comic timing.”
– Eamonn Kelly, The Australian, 4 December 2006