“…most tenors struggle to make José at least somewhat convincing if not at least a bit sympathetic .Tenor Richard Troxell, however, broke through the barrier, growing more unpleasant, threatening ,and, ultimately,murderously unhinged and vicious in the opera’s final moments. His was a dramatically different, and highly effective approach that was further enhanced by Troxell’s real mastery of vocal nuance. His singing captured perfectly the violent, inner conflicts of a man who throws away everything in his life only to fail utterly in his pursuit of a romantic ideal.”
Terry Ponick,The Washington Times

“…Troxell…tapped into his character of Don José and went for it vocally and dramatically. With equal fervor he played rage and humilation, and he never backed down from showing us a man who, consumed by passion, becomes an animal. His aria, La fleur que tu m’avais jetée, was a gorgeous, heartfelt revelation by this once strong soldier who’d lost himself in love.”
DC Theatre Scene