BILLY BUDD

HANNOVER - FEBRUARY 1997
Above all, the masterly though unassuming presence of John Treleaven as the Captain, with his impressive range of shadowed, dreamlike, restrained vocal colour, brought out the conclusive development of the drama.
Opernwelt

For the role of Captain Vere it would be impossible to find at the moment a more credible singer-actor than John Treleaven. The light timbre of his tenor voice is able to convey every facet of the part from operatic outburst to the sounds of old age.

Opernglas
John Treleaven took the demanding role of Captain Vere with equally splendid performances in its declamatory, lyrical and heroic moments. Physically he played out all the inner conflicts to the full and generously sang every moment of the score with a pure tone, controlled power and slowly building emotionality.
Neue Merker

At the heart of the story John Treleaven sang and acted the role of Captain Vere, carefully distinguishing lyricism from sentimentality, and tragedy from operatic histrionics.

Oper und Tanz
John Treleaven sang Captain Vere: vivid and impressive, vocally secure and dramatically commanding. Britten originally conceived this part for Peter Pears but Treleaven has nothing to fear from a comparison with this model: his own interpretation is entirely convincing.
Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung

When the curtain went up, a man took command, whose authority as actor kept the ship on course. John Treleaven, a Britten- tenor of the first rank, sweeping from blazing, solid highs to moments of lyrical tenderness.

Neue Presse
Also, John Treleaven as the antagonist Captain Vere developed the complex character with the greatest vocal intensity and stage presence. He received the biggest ovation at the end from an enthiusiastic, yes overwhelmed public. Britten‘s masterpiece triumphed at this great Opera evening.
Norddeutscher Rundfunk
John Treleaven brought exceptional vocal qualities to the role of the self-despairing, tormented Captain Vere.
Welt
Masterful in every respect and towering above all the rest (as good as they were), John Treleaven in the role of the unfortunate Captain was the centre of a furious fifteen minute applause.

Deister und Weserzeitung