Broadway World:
Her two competing lovers, Don José and Escamillo, are sung by Adam Smith and Christian Pursell. Never have I heard two such splendid male voices so perfectly set against each other in romantic competition. Both men (tenor Smith and bass-baritone Pursell) are tall and strikingly handsome. Pursell's voice, in the famous Toreador Song rings quite heroic, and Smith, especially in his plea to Carmen at the end of the tavern scene, sings with such wonderful feeling and power. The two combative duets--José vs. Escamillo and José vs. Carmen--are ` stunning. Both are powerfully mano a mano.
STEVE CALLAHAN