“Baritone Bernardo Bermudez made an understandably hurt but humane King Mark (whose bride is stolen away before their wedding night).”
Los Angeles Times
Review: ‘The Love Potion’: Tristan and Isolde, The Long Beach Opera way
By Rick Schultz
May 16 2018
“Baritone Bernardo Bermudez was an authoritarian King Mark whose voice commanded everyone around him, but had no power over love itself.”
Opera Wire
Review: Long Beach Opera 2017-18 Review – The Love Potion: A Wonderful Production & Team Engages In Enchanting Experience
By Maria Nockin
May 18 2018
“Excellent in the supporting role of the military Morales was Bermudez whose work in the zarzuela/operetta genre I am familiar with. His tall, elegant and debonair look is paired with a big voice, ……”
Living Out Loud Los Angeles
Review: A Recital Version of Carmen Raises Funds for Up-and-Coming Vocal Artists
By Humberto Capiro
August 23 2017
“ Las actuaciones centrales del barítono venezolano Bernardo Bermúdez, en el papel de ‘Diego Rivera’ y la mezzo soprano Virella, fueron descritas como extraordinarias, crítica teatral tras crítica.”
El Vocero de Puerto Rico
Ovacionan su Frida
By Jorge Rodriguez
July 31 2017
“The company has found in Puerto Rican mezzo-soprano Laura Virella and . Venezuelan American baritone Bernardo Bermudez an instantly believable Frida and Diego. Both are capable singers and actors, compelling onstage. They look the part, other than Bermudez not being quite as down to earth as Diego and Virella a little more down to earth than we think of Frida as being.”
Los Angeles Times
Death haunts Frida Kahlo’s long and clumsily winding road to the lyric stage
By Mark Swed
June 18 2017
“None of this would be possible without the contribution of the lead performers, mezzo soprano Laura Virella and baritone Bernardo Bermúdez, who embody Kahlo and Rivera with impressive conviction. Apart from being excellent singers, the two assume with ease the challenge of the spoken dialogue, which can feel at times too vivacious, but therefore brings closer connection to these characters who were doubtlessly full of passion in real life……
The work also portrays Rivera in a very dignified light, without avoiding his contradictions and infidelities; and Bermúdez, an American of Venezuelan and Mexican ancestry, achieves his task impeccably, garnering sympathy for a man who is deeply admired for his talent, but continues to be a controversial figure.”
Hoy Los Angeles (Translation by Language Divas)
Frida Bids Farewell, But Won’t Be Easily Forgotten
By Sergio Bursting
June 26, 2017
“Nada de esto sería posible sin los aportes de los intérpretes principales, la mezzo-soprano Laura Virella y el barítono Bernardo Bermúdez, quienes se ponen en la piel de Kahlo y de Rivera con una convicción impresionante. Fuera de ser excelentes cantantes, los dos asumen con eficacia los retos de sus diálogos hablados, que pueden sentirse a veces demasiado vivaces, pero que brindan por eso mismo una cercanía mayor a unos personajes que se encontraban sin duda alguna cargados de pasión en la vida real…….
La obra deja también en una posición sumamente digna a Rivera, sin evitar sus contradicciones y sus infidelidades; y el estadounidense de ascendencia venezolana y mexicana Bermúdez logra su cometido de manera impecable, generando simpatía por un hombre que es profundamente admirado por su talento, pero que sigue siendo una figura controvertida.”
Hoy Los Angeles
Frida’ se despidió, pero no será fácilmente olvidada
By Sergio Bursting
June 26, 2017
“Diego Rivera is the lead male role, performed with masculine bravura by Venezuelan-American baritone Bernardo Bermudez….”
People’s world
The life of Frida Kahlo, an opera waiting to happen
By Eric A. Gordon
June 22, 2017
“Laura Viretta in the title role possesses a bright, luminescent mezzo that at once conveys Kahlo’s passion and her pain. Baritone Bernardo Bermudez, as her husband Diego Rivera, is a big guy with a big voice. Both give completely realized performances, singing and acting with both beauty, when called for, and intensity. Both also bear striking resemblances to the real-life Kahlo and Rivera, which keeps their tumultuous relationship, amid the opera’s stylizations and fantastic elements, grounded in reality.”
Gazettes
Musical Notes: A Real Life Opera
By Jim Ruggirello
June 23, 2017
“One moment, Frida, played with feisty intensity by Puerto Rican mezzo-soprano Laura Virella, is confronting her larger-than-life husband, the painter Diego Rivera, sung with machismo ferocity by Venezuelan-American baritone Bernardo Bermudez, in a grand opera duet.”
The Orange County register and LA Daily
Mexico’s Wonder Woman: Long Beach Opera tells the tale of Frida Kahlo
By Bob Thomas
June 23, 2017
“The acting and singing was consistently excellent .… Venezuelan-American lyric baritone Bernardo Bermudez and Puerto Rican mezzo-soprano Laura Virella were exceptional in their leading roles.”
Culture Spot LA
Review: Long Beach Opera Presents Robert Xavier Rodriguez’s ‘Frida’ at the Museum of Latin American Art
By Julie Riggott
June 28, 2017
“Bernardo Bermudez is a more elegant singer than one might expect as the proletarian Rivera, but he and Virella are compelling in their 2 duets…”
Showmag
Frida
By Michael Van Duzer
June 2017
“Mezzo-soprano Laura Virella is compelling as Frida, and Bernardo Bermudez, a lyric baritone, is a fine match. They don’t sing many arias together, but when they do it’s hard to resist being pulled in and embraced by their voices.”
Easy reader news
Friday Kahlo: Sensuality and Sorrow
LONG BEACH OPERA PRESENTS “FRIDA” – A REVIEW
By Bondo Wyszpolsk
June 23, 2017
“Laura Virella (Frida Kahlo) is a talented vocalist, and she smoothly displays Kahlo’s development from vulnerability and defeat into a self-actualizing power. Bernardo Bermudez (Diego Rivera) matches her energy and captures Rivera’s moody, brooding tendencies. It’s also worth commending the versatility of the supporting cast of four, who fluidly swap in and out of new roles for each scene as they go toe-to-toe with the leads.”
Signal Tribune Newspaper
By Adam Buchsbaum
June 23, 2017
“Because Rodríguez gives his soloists so few opportunities to stretch their vocal legs, it’s hard to judge their performances. Clearly Virella is a solid mezzo-soprano, Bermudez’s baritone always rings out clear and true, and they are always within their comfort zones; we just never get to hear them explore or expose themselves at length, nor do we get to hear much interesting back-and-forth between them. The closest we get are a couple of all-cast numbers, but because of Rodríguez’s hodgepodge style, what is most compelling sonically is how the physical separation of the voices create auditory horizontal breadth.”
Random Lenght News
Frida @ Long Beach opera
By Greggory Moore
June 21, 2017
“Her husband, Diego Rivera, was portrayed by baritone Bernardo Bermudez. His Diego was strongly sung and the young baritone was padded and made up well, to create a credible middle-aged, overweight man.”
Lauris List
Small cast, big performances and beautiful pictures make LBO’s ‘Frida’ a can’t-miss treat
By Lauri D Goldenhersh
June 21, 2017
“Venezuelan lyric baritone Bernardo Bermudez is a charismatic counterpart as Kahlo’s lover Diego Rivera.”
LA Weekly
Frida Review
By Falling James
June 2017
“Bernardo Bermudez sang his Act III aria “Vedro mentr’io sospiro” with his strong lyric baritone, a voice that has depth, body, and the hint of a once lighter tone. With his handsome looks, Bermudez played the role of Count Almaviva with a striking, commanding presence.”
The Independent
Le Nozze di Figaro Opera Review: New Twist For Livermore Valley Opera Production
By Sarah Bobson
March 16, 2017
“Figaro, Bernardo Bermudez, was the hairdresser who could always find his clients clean samples of hair or anything else needed to pass a drug test. His Figaro was so amusing that he almost distracted the audience from his robust singing”
Opera Today
Barber of Seville (Hollywood Style) in Los Angeles
By Michael Milenski
November 16, 2016
“……it is Bermudez’s Figaro that is the most fun to watch. He is flamboyant without coming off as a queen, humorous without being over-the-top campy”
Culture Spot LA
The Barber of Seville (a POP Opera)
By David Maurer
November 15, 2016
“Venezuelan baritone Bermudez with his rich, thunderous voice takes on the role of the dashing stylist to the stars Figaro who’s there to help his friend Almaviva get the girl. The audience first meets him as he enters from behind, heading towards the stage between the tables as he sings the famous aria “Largo al factotum,” a very appropriate and effective choice by director and POP co-founder Josh Shaw.”
Living Out Loud
POP’s Production of The Barber of Seville is Bugs Bunny Funny
By Humberto Capiro
November 15, 2016
“While there are certainly many ways to play the title character, Bernardo Bermudez’s take on the rake proved more nuanced than most. For example, in the early scenes Bermudez wooed the young peasant girl Zerlina with genuine affection and the dulcet edge of his ample baritone, rather than the thinly disguised predatory deception of many Don Giovannis. He cajoled his exasperated servant Leporello, played with unusual sophistication by Christopher Edwards, more with camaraderie than with sheer command and bluster. On the other hand, Bermudez summoned chilling menace and a gruff vocal edge to his “Fin ch’han dal vino” aria, in which he aticipates more conquests as his party guests dance and imbibe freely. Bermudez gave his character range and credibility, in spite of the Don’s monochromatic reputation.”
San Diego Story
Impressive Opera NEO Production Brings Mozart Up to Date
By Ken Herman
August 16, 2016
“Bernardo Bermudez, in the title role, gave us a deliciously degenerate Don. Bermudez did not shy away from Don’s more lecherous moments but gave us a full helping.”
San Diego Reader
The Don(ald) Giovanni Don Giovanni abuser of power at Opera Neo
By Garrett Harris
August 14, 2016
“The musicians and the singers have all participated in Opera Neo’s yearly summer festival workshop, which offers training, coaching and a chance to perform real-time roles. Bernardo Bermudez, who has the title role in “Don Giovanni,” first sang for the company in summer 2013. Bermudez is, Kozma said, “the ideal Don Giovanni.” “He has that Latin charm, and he is so good-looking and playful,” he added. “And he sings very beautifully.”
The San Diego Union Tribune
Don Juan goes to Washington, Opera Neo’s ‘Don Giovanni’ takes the famed womanizer to the U.S. capital
By Catherine Gaugh
August 10, 2016
“Baritone Bernardo Bermudez created an unusually mellifluous and sympathetic Prince Yamadori, the suitor who would rescue the abandoned Cio-Cio San”
San Diego Story
San Diego Opera’s Madama Butterfly’ Vocal Paradise
by Ken Herman
April 18th 2016
“Company team players Scott Sikon and Bernardo Bermudez were appealing as Bonze and Yamadori respectively.”
Backtrack
Latonia Moore a shimmering Madama Butterfly in San Diego
by Erica Miner
April 17th, 2016
“As is usual with San Diego Opera, committed fine artists inhabited the smaller roles. J’Nai Bridges was a caring and compliant Suzuki. Joseph Hu was a thoroughly amusing Goro, Scott Sikon a frightening Bonze, and Bernardo Bermudez a pretentious Yamadori.”
Opera Today
San Diego Opera Presents a Tragic Madama Butterfly
By Maria Nockin
April 23rd, 2016
“Two other newcomers to this company were also outstanding. Bernardo Bermudez, in the role of Valentin, Marguerite’s soldier brother, delivered a beautiful haunting solo in his first appearance, bemoaning the fact that he was leaving his sister to go to war….”
Splash Magazine
Faust Review-West Bay Opera’s Futuristic Take on a Classic
By Steve & Suzanne Cooper
May 2015
“Bernardo Bermúdez was a sterling Valentin with a golden baritone…“
Repeat Performances and the Piedmont Post
West Bay Opera delivers triumphant Faust
By Adam Broner
May 22, 2015
“Baritone Bernardo Bermudez made for an earnest Valentin with his dry, pleasant voice…“
San Francisco Classical Voice
Not a Dull Moment in West Bay Opera’s Dystopian Faust
By Charlise Tiee
May 25, 2015
“All the other principals — Bernard Bermudez as Valentin, Molly Mahoney as Siebel, Patrict Houston as Marthe and Ryan Bradford as Wagner — are in excellent voice….“
San Jose Mercury News
A magnificent ‘Faust’ staged by West Bay Opera
By John Orr – Daily News Arts & Entertainment Editor
May 23, 2015
“Bernardo Bermudez captured the Mantuan courtier Marullo’s bored corruption effectively. A luridly yellow costume, by designer Abra Berman, supplied visual amplification of the point.“
San Francisco Classical Voice
Ravishing, Rich Rigoletto at Livermore Valley Opera
By Steven Winn
September 27, 2014
“Bernardo Bermudez was an appropriately hunky Stanley, with a big, burnished baritone and excellent diction….“
St. Louis Today, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
A Streetcar Named Desire’ makes a welcome stop at Union Avenue Opera
By Sarah Bryan Miller
August 02, 2014
“Baritone Bernardo Bermudez is very much at home in the role of Stanley. He’s vocally strong, as well as proud, fit and comfortable in Stanley’s iconic masculinity. It’s a splendid job. Blanche, Stella and Mitch all have lyrical arias or ariettas. Only Stanley is without one. But what is an aria? It’s the verbal expression of a character’s inner feelings. Stanley, the iconic male, is not verbally articulate; he expresses himself not with words but with his body, his muscle, his hands. So, alas, though Bernardo Bermudez deserves one, Stanley should really not have an aria.”
BroadwayWorld (BWW) OperaWorld.com
Reviews: A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE Shines at Union Avenue Opera
By Steve Callahan
August 5, 2014
“Bernardo Bermudez and Katherine Giaquinto share sparks of chemistry that show how Stanley’s primordial impulses brings out Stella’s lusty, earthy nature. Their verbal sparring is offset by the obvious sexual delight in each other, which makes Stanley’s brutish assaults on her all the more shocking. Both performers bring convincing acting and singing to their roles.”
Ladue News
Operatic Form Fits ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’: Opera Review
By Mark Bretz
August 4, 2014
“…Bernardo Bermudez as Stanley Kowalski and Anthony Wright Webb as “Mitch” Mitchell were likewise well-matched. Both men resonated with warmth and vigor, exuding a rugged yet vulnerable rawness that just might have pleased Tennessee Williams..”
KDHX 88.1 Independent Music Plays Here
Andre Previn’s music for ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ falls somewhat short of expectations
By Gary Scott
August 2014
“…Bernardo Bermudez as El Dancairo performed their roles as two smugglers with delicious delight.”
The Independent
Fine Moments in Livermore Opera’s Carmen
By Sarah Bobson
October 4, 2013
“Bernardo Bermudez as Figaro is cunning in his performance and vocally gifted.”
Valley Scene Magazine
Rossini’s the Barber of Seville! Center Stage Opera Upstages Reality T.V.
By Anthony McBride
June 2012
“The tour de force performance, Bernardo Bermudez’ Papageno, was a high-water mark. The delicious duet between Papageno and Papagena “packed with the simple enchantment of which Mozart alone among musicians has ever hand the secret,” brings the opera to a delightful conclusion as the couple goes out arm and arm.”
Palisadian-Post
Bringing Opera Close to Home
February 24, 2011
“A young man…with impressive looks and a powerful voice, will shortly turn him into a great musical figure….”
Conexiones International, Miami Florida
March 2009 Issue
“Ever since the time of Jorge Negrete, Pedro Infante… never have I listened to such a masculine voice with excellent diction as that of this new musical talent… My vast experience as artistic entrepreneur…for over 20 years of cultural events. Honestly since those time I had not heard such an impressive voice as Bernardo…”
Conexiones International, Miami Florida
October 2003 Issue