Baltimore Examiner

Superb comic bass Stephen Eisenhard provided a very funny Benoit, the angry but bumbling landlord.

The Chattanoogan

Attempting to thwart the budding romance and marry Rosina for himself was Stephen Eisenhard as Rosina's guardian, Dr. Bartolo. Eisenhard's wonderful befuddled comic presence and his ability to reel off patter songs at breakneck speeds in his booming bass-baritone added no end to the comic enjoyment of the evening.

Patrick Klink, Baltimore Opera Examiner

Stephen Eisenhard, as Bartolo, was a classic and ideal basso buffo: huge, beautiful, booming voice, flawless diction even in the patter sections, and a tall, robust physical stature that is at once intimidating and capable of great comic flourish.

The Sarasota Observer

Stephen Eisenhard, as the devilishly deceptive Don Alfonso, shows a real flair for comedy.

Stephen Eisenhard, well known as a basso-buffo, was at his best so far as Dulcamara. His rich, round voice negotiates the rat-a-tat patter in the Donizetti patterns and, he managed to combine fine singing and acting with spot-on diction.

Nevada Review – Jack Neal's Music Reviews

Stephen Eisenhard (Dr. Bartolo) scores – but not as his character might like. He's a marvelous old fuss-budget and a distinguished singing actor. His aria, A un Dotto dell mia sorte, admonishing Rosina "to tell better lies," is great fun and gorgeously sung.

Opera News

Stephen Eisenhard displayed nice comic timing as Don Alfonso, with a rich bass baritone.

Classical Voice of North Carolina

Stephen Eisenhard's plangent and solid bass made Mozart's failure to write full arias for Don Alfonso even more regrettable than usual.

The Nashville Scene

The best comic performance of the evening came from Stephen Eisenhard as Dr. Bartolo. He was the only one in the cast who really seemed comfortable with the tradition of Italian patter songs, and this is precisely what was necessary to bring off a satisfying performance of most of Bartolo's numbers. A very few exceptions aside, Eisenhard managed a fleeter velocity than his fellows, and his interactions with the other characters were the best of the lot.

Opera Online

And what review would be complete without a nod toward the wonderful singing of bass-baritone Stephen Eisenhard as the cure-for-everything, good “doctor” of everything, Dr. Dulcamara. His bass-baritone is range appropriate for his voice and because of this is a joy to behold. I have heard some in that cross-over range who strain at one end or the other. The nice thing about listening to Mr. Eisenhard is that he seems comfortable singing wherever the score takes his considerable range, just like he was selling his Elixir: we and he believed everything he said. Great job!

Longboat Observer

Stephen Eisenhard is the diamond-in-the-rough prison warden, Frank, with a smooth baritone and charming personality.

Opera NOW Magazine, UK

Stephen Eisenhard is a real smoothie-chops of an Alfonso with a rich, mellow bass-baritone.

Stephen Eisenhard's Melitone was sturdily sung and humorously acted.

OPERA-L

Stephen Eisenhard (Melitone) is making a career specialty of buffo roles, but his strong musically sensitive baritone would be welcome in any part. This singer should have a strong career ahead of him.

Dayton Daily News

Most notable for his depth of character is Stephen Eisenhard as Dr. Bartolo. Variously described as lascivious, greedy, even wicked, Bartolo as played by Eisenhard becomes a sympathetic, if imperfect, soul. You can't help but feel a little sorry for the fellow, as everyone seems to plot against him. Eisenhard's sure-footed handling of the role, as well as his proficient vocal abilities, made him easy to like.

Sarasota Herald-Tribune

The most enjoyable performance came from Stephen Eisenhard as the blustering, grumbling Fra Melitone. His robust bass-baritone matched his belligerent comic portrayal of a monk unsuited to his calling.                        

A stuttering bass-baritone? That's what Tartalgia's aria from Mascagni's "Le Mascere" called for and Stephen Eisenhard delivered. A big voice, clever acting and agile vocal gymnastics distinguished his appearance. He is naturally and superbly well equiped to perform many of opera's great buffo roles.  

Bass-baritone Stephen Eisenhard showed his versatility as an actor in the non-buffo role of the suave De Bretigny.

Bass-baritone Stephen Eisenhard, usually cast in buffo roles, displayed his versatility as an actor. As the Baron Douphol, Violetta's current sugar daddy, his portrayal had a dignified cynicism which lifted the role out of its usual insignificance.

Again, bass-baritone Stephen Eisenhard rises to whatever role comes his way. As the abrasive lout Metifio, also obsessed with the Arles girl, he was loudly menacing and boorish. Yet, as he described his love/hate life with L'Arlesiana he managed to elicit your sympathy with his infernal obsession. His dark vocal quality and declamatory style made him a forceful presence.

Stephen Eisenhard is lovable as Don Alfonso, his vibrant bass-baritone lending authority to him portrayal of this amused observer of human nature.

The Gondolier, Venice, FL

A telling and slyly evil performance was given by bass-baritone Stephen Eisenhard as De Bretigny.      

Sarasota Arts Review

Eisenhard has all the fun in the role of a blustery brother who is not endowed with the impulse for charity that the local poor expect. His voice is big and he enriches it with humor and character.

The Commercial Appeal, Memphis, TN

Opera Memphis hired the same able-voiced bass-baritone, Stephen Eisenhard, to sing the title role in every show, and he did so richly and with remarkable endurance. His Pasquale was comic - a fleshy, pie-faced buffoon with wiry gray hair.            

Stephen Eisenhard's stuffy satirization of Dr. Bartolo, his porcine expressions and his able handling of the patter songs for the bass role all contributed significantly to the show.

Los Angeles Times

Eisenhard's deft comic touches and informed musicianship delighted throughout.

The Times, Shreveport, LA

The production was fortunate in having the excellent vocal talents of bass-baritone Stephen Eisenhard as Don Pasquale.

The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, OH

Stephen Eisenhard is a model windbag as Dr. Bartolo, with a nimble basso buffo and goofy penchant for bungling things royally. Eisenhard offers a terrific imitation of a castrato, jumping several octaves without apparent strain.

The Cincinnati Enquirer

As Don Magnifico, Stephen Eisenhard used his solid vocal ability and facile buffo diction to bring his foolish character to life. Eisenhard astounded the audience with the furiously paced Italian in his second act aria.

The Cincinnati Post

Stephen Eisenhard struck comic paydirt as the landlord Benoit and Musetta's hapless admirer Alcindoro.

The Columbus Dispatch

A special kudo to Stephen Eisenhard's amusing and well-sung Sacristan.