austin opera, 2023
Christian Sanders' turn as Tobias (Toby) is perhaps my favorite of the evening. His clear, strong tenor voice broke my heart.
-Lynn Beaver, Broadway World
Opera Santa Barbara, 2022
The one-act, one-location comic opera is built around a bizarrely complex plot, which may be best unraveled as we sink into the rich atmosphere of the musical element and a livewire production. Singing and acting were ideally pitched to the farcical challenges at hand, especially from suitors Christian Sanders and Matthew Peterson, jester figure Efrain Solís, and beauty-in-disguise Christina Pezzarossi.
-Josef Woodard, Santa Barbara Independent
Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, 2022
Tenor Christian Sanders brings just the right mix of despicable lust and comic incompetence to the role of the Monostatos, whose attempts to have his way with Pamina end badly for him.
-Chuck Lavazzi, KDHX.org
One simply cannot present Monostatos as a young and handsome man in a trim jump-suit singing with the beautiful voice of Christian Sanders (who plays the role). Monostatos, whose approach to Pamina should make us cringe in horror, seems in this production to be a quite acceptable suitor for her. Go figger!
-Steve Callahan, Broadway World
Portland Opera, 2022
Then there’s the Donald Trump character. “Let’s nail these thugs!” sings much-thinner-than-Trump tenor Christian Sanders, who masterfully caricatures the blowhard real estate mogul with his spookily unstoppable hand gestures, his saunter and slump, his jutting chin, and Queens twang.
Trump never took back his words in real life. As a character–more a caricature—he provided comic relief, and the piece thankfully did not spin around him. Still, it was thrilling to boo him, which the ecstatic audience did with pleasure at curtain call.
-Angela Allen, Oregon ArtsWatch
Des Moines Metro Opera, 2021
“One of the most captivating parts of the night came in Christian Sander's performance as Timothy Laughlin. I was excited to see him take on another role as I thoroughly enjoyed his performance as Toby in this season's SWEENEY TODD. With this role, he left his heart on the stage, not only making this an amazing performance, but one I will not soon forget.”
-DC Felton, BroadwayWorld
“As his counterpart in love and distress, Christian Sanders is a formidable liaison. Coming right off a matinee performance of Sweeney Todd, the tireless Mr. Sanders made the role of Timothy Laughlin his own, deploying his steady lyric tenor with assurance, and unwavering understanding of the complexities of his character’s sometimes naïve ambitions.
Mr. Sanders is also trim, attractive and physically uninhibited. His laudable vocalizing was complemented by some pretty steamy love making. I don’t know the orientation of either of the leading players, but their physical connection was so impassioned and so intense that at one (um) climactic moment, a female viewer let out a war hoop usually reserved for extra points scored in soccer game overtime play.”
-James Sohre, Opera Today
“Tenor Christian Sanders sang the role of Timothy with an innocent vulnerability and vocal clarity. Sanders’ voice cut through the orchestra despite the venue’s acoustic issues, connecting to the audience on a visceral level. Timothy, like Hawkins, is a man of contradictions. He is experiencing romantic love for the first time in his life, and despite his religious upbringing, he embraces the relationship with naïve enthusiasm. Timothy is a bit of a timid little lamb at the beginning of the opera, and his vocal lines often reflect that. Sanders’ voice captured this sense of vulnerability with deceptive ease, and the fresh-faced tenor gave the most compelling dramatic performance of the evening, a feat that is all the more impressive considering this was his first time singing the role. Timothy’s aria in the church after his first night in Hawk’s arms was a tender expression of first love’s rush, and Sanders perfectly captured the beauty and tragedy of this moment. Both Sanders and Lattanzi managed to create believable portrayals of these contradictory characters, and their ability to perform quick changes onstage was impressive to say the least. Their chemistry together onstage was dynamic, and I hope that both men will continue to perform these roles in future productions”
-Meghan Klinkenborg, Schmopera
Des Moines Metro Opera, 2021
“The evening continues with a very charismatic performance from Christian Sanders as Tobias. He not only commands the audience's attention whenever he is on stage but exudes a charm that will have the audience members themselves wanting to purchase miracle elixir or meat pies right from him.”
-DC Felton, BroadwayWorld
“Tobias Ragg is often presented as a somewhat hapless puppy dog. Not so here, with Christian Sanders characterizing him as more a coltish street urchin, his steady, shining tenor ringing out in the house. His version of “Not While I’m Around” was a production highlight, infused with such an appealing boyish determination that it earned a prolonged ovation.”
-James Sohre, Opera Today
“Christian Sanders immediately won the hearts of the audience with his infectiously funny and energetic performance of “Pirelli’s Miracle Elixir.” Sanders portrayed Tobias Ragg as a clever young man, quick with the sales patter but desperately hungry for affection. His relationship with Mrs. Lovett was adorable, making it all the more heartbreaking when he discovered the truth.”
-Meghan Klinkenborg, Schmopera
American Lyric Theater, 2020
“With his appealing lyric tenor and winning ways, Christian Sanders brought Pipkin, everyone’s best friend, to life.“
-Rick Perdian, Seen and Heard International
“The bright-voiced tenor Christian Sanders was charismatic as Bégearss.”
-Susan Brodie, Classical Voice North America
“Il (Bégearss) est incarné par Christian Sanders avec une noirceur constante et totale, de son costume à sa voix sombre, sinueuse dans les couplets, fouettée par-dessus les cuivres”
“He (Bégearss) is embodied by Christian Sanders with a constant and total darkness, from his costume to his dark voice, curvy in the verses, whipped over the brass”
-Charles Arden, Olyrix
The Glimmerglass Festival, 2019
"The villainous Patrick Honoré Bégearss is served up with obvious relish, with a side of scenery to chew on, by Christian Sanders. Mr. Sanders’ clarion, bright-toned tenor sailed through the treacherous Aria of the Worm with nary a problem, undaunted by the tessitura or imposing orchestration."
-James Sohre, Opera Today
"Christian Sanders showed himself to be a powerful tenor and strong stage communicator as the despicable villain through numerous reprises of 'Aria of the Worm' in what clearly was intended as a great crowd pleaser. He pranced and hissed and staggered on the stage as if he had been coached by Johnny Depp in 'Pirates of the Caribbean.'"
-Susan Galbraith, DCTheatreScene.com
"Christian Sanders revealed a ringing tenor that seems destined for distinction..."
-Cameron Kelsall, Bachtrack
"Christian Sanders was superb as Bégearss, never more so than when he was abusing Tucker Reed Breder’s Wilhelm."
-Rick Perdian, Seen and Heard International
"Standouts included the theatrically astute tenor Christian Sanders, as Bégearss, the cartoon villain in Beaumarchais’s opera, who has two lengthy, vehement arias about vermin..."
-Heidi Waleson, The Wall Street Journal
"Christian Sanders gets some of the best moments of the night as the dastardly Begearss."
-Joseph Dalton, Times Union
"Christian Sanders performed the role of the villain Bégearss singing Bégearss’ anthem Long Live the Worm with spectacular success, receiving one of the evening’s biggest ovations."
-William Burnett, Opera Warhorses
“The audience at the end went wild for tenor Christian Sanders as the wily Patrick Honore Begearss, who made the most of his comic sly asides”
-Geraldine Freedman, The Daily Gazette
Minnesota Opera, 2019
“The humor of some actors landed more than others but the clear fan favorite was pink-tuxedo wearing Viscount Achille di Rosalba played by Christian Sanders.”
- Brian Lenz, Minnesota Playlist
The Minnesota Opera, 2018
“Christian Sanders, seen in last month’s La Rondine, gave a chilling performance of a reluctant soldier who progresses to a cold-blooded killer.”
-Schmopera, Callie Cooper
The Minnesota Opera, 2018
" As Prunier, Christian Sanders brings a strong, soothing tenor to his verses. He conveys Prunier's sly nature, proffering the poetry of true love, while pursuing something less virtuous."
-Arthur Dorman, Talkin' Broadway
"The Prunier of Christian Sanders cut a raffish figure, and their interplay lit the stage in its three-dimensionality."
-Terry Blaine, Star Tribune
Des Moines Metro Opera, 2018
“Christian Sanders’ clear, shining tenor served the role of the Novice well”
- James Sohre, Opera Today
“There was excellent work from Christian Sanders as the frightened novice.”
- Mark Thomas Ketterson, Opera News
Portland State University, 2018
“Sanders performed his transformative role with stage-savvy sparkle and athleticism…Sanders had no competition for stardom.”
- Angela Allen, Oregon Arts Watch
“Christian Sanders as Albert Herring was a real showstopper. His incredible tenor was matched by his acting--even in the midst of a high comedy such as this, his ability to portray the frustration and smothered angst that seems to define Herring's life was crucial. His voice was up to this difficult task, expressive and seemingly effortless, and with impeccable diction to boot. Sanders took his time enunciating, acting--doing all the small things necessary to make comedy work… (He) worked tirelessly to make sure all the subtleties were there.”
- Lorin Wilkerson, Northwest Reverb