Reviews of Performances

In Concert

Concert of arias with the Amarillo Symphony - Amarillo Daily News
"...Webb began to unfurl his singing talents with his second excerpt, a last minute addition of 'The Flower Song' from Georges Bizet's 'Carmen.' Webb simply shone in the second half of the concert, especially with the pathos of 'E lucevan le stelle' from 'Tosca' and 'Che gelida manina' from 'La Bohème.' At the end of the concert, Webb brought the crowd to its feet with the soaring final note of 'Nessun dorma' from Puccini's 'Turandot,' a selection Pavarotti uses as one of his signature pieces. The cries of 'bravo' from the audience and the foot-stomping of the orchestra brought Webb out for two encores, including a hearty rendition of the famous aria 'O Sole Mio' by Eduardo de Capua. Webb clearly has a great career ahead, and the Amarillo Symphony did well in acquiring him for the concert."

The Verdi Requiem with Fort Worth Symphony 1999 - Fort Worth Star
"The four soloists were all first rate.  Tenor Philip Webb was the most outstanding member of the quartet, consistently creating thick, clear musical lines, especially in the work's Ingemisco section."

In Operatic Roles

Radames in Verdi's Aida

Utah Opera - The Deseret News
"Tenor Philip Webb makes a stunning Radames.  Vocally, he has the power to reach his high notes with ease while never compromising on lyrical beauty."

Utah Opera - The Salt Lake Tribune
"His voice had the power of a dramatic tenor, but with a beautiful lyric quality that rang out with youthful ease.  Webb won over Saturday's audience right away with his opening aria, the demanding "Celeste Aida."

Calaf in Puccini's Turandot

New York City Opera - The New York Sun
"...the most endearing performances were Philip Webb’s debut Calaf and Oksana

Krovytska’s Liù.  Mr. Webb’s passionate rendition of the work’s central theme, “Nessun dorma,” bled with the Italianate realism of an early Pavarotti, .."

Manrico in Verdi's Il Trovatore

Madison Opera - Wisconsin State Journal
"As Manrcio, the troubadour, Philip Webb demonstrated a substantial and sweet tenor voice, perhaps not quite a dramatic tenor but powerful and brilliant enough.  He warmed up to the role steadily, and his "di quella pira ("the flaming pyre") aria, his most demanding moments, came off beautifully."

Pacific Opera Victoria - The Vancouver Sun
"Once launched into the daunting role of the troubadour Manrico, tenor Philip Webb swept all before him with firm, well-projected singing, dramatically engaged interpretation of the text and, best of all, the ringing sound the Italians call squillo so necessary in this heroic repertoire."

Pacific Opera Victoria - The Globe and Mail
"There's a strong, almost heroic edge to Philip Webb's powerful tenor voice but he can float out a high tessitura pianissimo with the best of them.  He was an ideal Manrico."

Don Alvaro in Verdi's La Forza del Destino

Busseto Centenary Verdi Festival - Liberta
".. the tenor Philip Webb, Don Alvaro, offered a dazzling and stand out voice... even in the difficult registers in which his beautiful character fully rendered the Franciscan quality of the work."

Busseto Centenary Verdi Festival - Gazzetta Di Reggio
"Philip Webb, beautiful voice especially in the high register, even though he excelled (demonstrated to excel) in the sentimental (sad) moments more than in those merely dramatic."

Rodolfo in Verdi's Luisa Miller

Sarasota Opera - Opera Magazine
"Philip Webb (Rodolfo) moved the audience to vociferous response with his glowing lyric tenor with its exciting squillo, particularly in his aria "Quando le sere al placido and in the great dialogue with Luisa in the finale"

Sarasota Opera- l'Opera Magazine
"In the role of Rodolfo, tenor Philip Webb showed a voice of excellence and uniformity.  His interpretation of "Quando le sere al placido"  showed a voice of excellent line, uniformity and musicality.  The center of his voice was very good for this theater and his high notes showed an excellent plateau..."