Jonathan Veira has played many roles during his career and has received enthusiastic acclaim from audiences and critics alike.

Below are reviews from just some of the wide variety of operatic performances Jonathan has given.

If you see a review that you feel we could add to this page, please send an e-mail to the webmaster who would be delighted to add it here.

• Claggert in 'Billy Budd'
• Falstaff
• Judge Turpin in 'Sweeney Todd'
• Italian Girl from Algiers

• The Makropulos Case
• Vanessa
• Cosi Fan Tutti
• Various other roles
• Classical CDs

Politiken 21st October 2002/ Jan Jacoby:
Veira is also masterly with his icy and heavy authority. After a lot of excellent comedy roles it is very exciting meeting his great musical and dramatic talent in Claggert's demonic figure, who's imposing danger only Billy Budd can overlook. From his first imposing entrée up the stairs from below deck with a lurking glance he has the stage in his power, and treating the text sharp as a snake he stretches his beautiful voice to powerful dominant heights.

Børsen (Stock Exchange Paper) 21st October 2002/Ulrik Cold:
Veira is the poison personified, as the, disturbed & envious Claggert. He has to destroy happiness and joy.

B.T. 21.10.02 /Randi K. Petersen:
…and Veira sings the Master of Arms Claggert gloriously and has a formidable stage presence in his strong hatred to the Navy's upper-class officers.

Skånska Dagbladet (Scania Daily Mail) Ingemar Olander:
Impressing is Jonathan Veira as the villain Claggert. Dark and devilishly-slow walking across the stage he spots and corners his victim merciless.

Jyllands-Posten 21.10.02/ John Christiansen:
Billy Budd's evil opponent Claggert was played to the line, but never crossing it by the harmonious singing of Jonathan Veira. Britten has given him a credo of evil similar to Jago in Othello, adding to the figure an extra edge of psychological mystery.

Berlingske 21.10.02 / Søren Kassebeer:
Veira's Claggert is ironic and demon like and there are many fine moments. A fine detail is the way Veira portrays Claggert, touching deeply and underlining that there is still a little part left of humanity underneath the rock hard surface.

Ekstra Bladet 21.10.02 ****** Gregers Dirkinck-Holmfeld:
…and now to the Devil himself. 'Can't you get love yourself then destroy others' - black and evil as Shakespeare's Jago, Jonathan Veira sings and acts so we are all thrilled (or is sending icy thrills down the spine?)

Dagen 21.10.02 (The Day, totally new news-paper) Jakob Levinsen:
It is though the English veteran Jonathan Veira as Claggert, who steals big parts of the performance, is able to show how the evil hurts the monster as well.

Der Nordschleswiger, Germany 21.10.02 / Fritz Schultz:
The baritone Jonathan Veira sings and acts the dark and unpleasant Claggert or outstandingly.
(Der Bariton JV singt und spielt hervoragend den unbehaglichen und bösartigen Claggert.)

The Independent:
'Falstaff... debauched and avuncular with a glint in the eye and taken by Jonathan Veira with a fine line in mellow lyricism as well as the bark that is worse than the bite, and a presence that easily dominates' .... vocally plausible, visually glorious...

Opera Magazine:
'Jonathan Veira's outsize stage personality is well suited to the title role... his over-weening self-confidence and ebullience were ideal.'

The Sunday Telegraph:
'Jonathan Veira's Falstaff... strongly sung was free from caricature that makes the Fat Knight merely ridiculous. One could believe this Sir John had once been page to the Duke of Norfolk.'

Evening Standard:
'Jonathan Veira's... delivery and timing were immaculate from start to finish, and he managed to display every aspect of Falstaff's sophisticated, contradictory make-up with a lustful honesty that was quite delightful. His humour, his temper, his pride and humility all fine-tuned to comic perfection.'

The Times :
'Jonathan Veira sustains a clear, lithe line throughout.'

What's On & Where To Go:
Mr Veira both looks and sounds the part, doesn't over do the comic acting.... finds both humour and pathos.... a first rate performance.'

Opera Now:
'Worthy of special mention is Jonathan Veira's hilarious Falstaff. Every comic moment... is mined and exploited, his absurd caperings, mock-heroics and moves of self-satisfaction perfectly embody the spirit of the self-deluded Sir John.'

The Times:
'Unstinting praise for... Jonathan Veira's virtuoso performance as the lawyer Kolenatý.'

Sunday Telegraph:
'Jonathan Veira explosive as Dr Kolenatý.'

Guardian:
'Jonathan Veira's Kolenatý projects well, especially as he is pattering through the details of the lawsuit.'

Danish Observer:
'Jonathan Veira is pure luxury as Don Alfonso ... overwhelming with an unpretentious energy ... warm and authoritative. One look, one gesture and he has the whole scene in his hand.'