Macbeth, Theater Bremen, 2023

From one day to the next, the Icelandic Hrólfur Sæmundsson jumped in as Macbeth for the ill Elias Gyungseok Han. He played his part with remarkable presence and variety of expression. His baritone can be imperiously powerful, but also (in the last aria) completely withdrawn and intimate.
- Wolfgang Denker (Der Opernfreund)

Every theater's nightmare: two days before the premiere, the leading singer falls ill.
Theater Bremen has Hrolfur Sæmundsson to thank for the fact that Giuseppe Verdi's opera “Macbeth” was still able to be performed as planned on Sunday, who on short notice jumped in for Elias Gyungseok Han. The baritone from Iceland led the musically excellent production masterfully.
- Sebastian Loskant (Weser Kurier) 

Hrolfur Sæmundsson knows the title role best, offers buttery piano tones in the upper register and dramatic punch in equal measure, a Macbeth who we experience both as a superstitious coward as well as a power-hungry despot.
- Sebastian Loskant (Weser Kurier) 

The fact that things went well with the last-minute cast replacement is, of course, partly due to the fact that the Icelandic baritone Sæmundsson, an internationally renowned Macbeth expert, was available to come.
- Jan-Paul Koopmann (Kreiszeitung)

***

In the title role Theater Aachen had cast the Icelandic baritone Hrólfur Saemundsson,a member of the Aachen ensemble. This characterizes the quality of this company, because he was fantastic. Saemundsson has a huge range, a beautiful timbre and an impressive stage presence.
– Operamagazine (The Netherlands)

The acoustic brought out the best in baritone Hrolfur Saemundsson, already having performed an outstanding Pelleas is seen here at the top of his game. He immersed himself in the role body and soul, reflecting the contrasting facets of the character, and seems vocally completely at ease. It wasn't just his last aria that sounded superb.
– opernnetz.de

Hrólfur Sæmundsson surpassed himself in the title role with singing of dramatic power and bel canto cultivation and acting worthy of a matter of life and death.
– Opera Magazine

As Macbeth the artist surpassed himself entirely. Such dramatic, yet belcantoesque, and saturated eruptive tones I haven't heard from him before. Also in his acting, he plays the character as if life and death were at stake. I stand in awe and admiration. Great admiration.
– Theater Pur

Sæmundsson brought gravitas and authoritative masculinity to the role of Germont which served to heighten the drama. Perfectly articulated, his powerful baritone voice sounded beautiful and effortless.
– Derry journal

Icelander Hrolfur Saemundsson was spectacular in the title role, his superb voice given full effect by the highly dramatic acting demanded by this opera.
– Irish examiner

From the moment he is first brought back to un-life Hrólfur Sæmundsson as Lord Ruthven was mesmerising. He may only be playing a vampire but you certainly fall under the spell of his performance. With flowing blond locks, a wonderfully powerful voice and a playful swagger he perfectly captured the essence of Byron whose exploits gave birth to the opera’s story.
– Inserttitle.ie

Hrolfur Saemundsson, the Icelandic baritone was gloriously impressive as Der Vampyr, and he was passionate and manipulative in his blood lust, and yet managed a Romantic, tragic persona as well.
– The Munster Express

Wolfram too was a powerful presence, and didn´t sound as if he was giving a Lieder Masterclass, which Walthers (sic) can do.
– Opera Now

Minnesingers were truly splendid, well directed and in beautiful voice, with Hrólfur Saemundsson’s Wolfram von Eschenbach outstanding.
– Arts Journal

It was baritone Hrolfur Saemundsson as Giorgio Germont however who turned in the most complex performance, transitioning from a patronizing and even bullying Father figure into a guilt-ridden remorseful shell.
– North West Telegraph

Icelander Hrólfur Sæmundsson’s Wolfram von Eschenbach (the Fischer-Dieskau role), desperate to divert the errant Tannhäuser from returning to his old ways and restore his Christian sense of duty, brought such passion and also elegance to his arias he proved one of the highlights of the entire evening.
– behindthearras.com

Hrólfur Sæmundsson was an honourable and introspective Wolfram who is deeply in love with Elisabeth. His plaintive ‘O du, mein holder Abendstern’ lacked nothing in comparison with Christian Gerhaher who nearly stopped the show recently when singing it at Covent Garden.
– Seen and heard international

The excellent Icelandic baritone Hrölfur Sæmundsson acted Wolfram fluently and sang with a range of colour, feeling and sensitivity that made the role seem much bigger than it is, and ensuring that his ‘O du mein holder Abendstern’ hung like a veil over the last Act.
– Classical source

Very touching and intriguing rendition of the song to the Evenstar by baritone Hrolfur Saemundsson as Wolfram.
– Rheinische Post

Hrolfur Saemundsson is fascinating as the increasingly depressed Ori.
– Aachener Zeitung

Outstanding, Hrolfur Saemundsson as Figaro is bursting with comedic talent... Sæmundsson's baritone fits Figaro like a glove.
– Aachener Zeitung

We want to especially mention Hrolfur Saemundsson as Ori, a smooth bass-baritone with a free flowing higher register.
– Operagazet (Belgium)

Posa is wonderfully sung and acted by Hrolfur Saemundsson.
– Klenkes

Hrolfur Saemundsson was a wonderful Figaro, and proves once again his class, also as an actor, as the slightly effeminate Barber.
– Klenkes

A perfect Onegin with a beautifully sounding baritone timbre.
– Das Opernglas