Press/Reviews

The tenor James Ruff brought a virile voice and dignity to the role of Daniel, held captive by King Belshazzar..." - The Play of Daniel - Trinity Church/Wall Street - Twelfth Night Festival” - Anthony Tommassini

The New York Times

The singers were adequate to excellent on Friday, the most notable being James Ruff as Daniel, Peter Walker as Belshazzar and Habakkuk, and Sarah Pillow as Belshazzar’s queen and Habakkuk’s angel." - The Play of Daniel - Trinity Church/Wall Street - Twelfth Night Festival” - James Oestreich

The New York Times

Playing the prophet Daniel, James Ruff soared in an eloquent aria explaining the meaning of 'the writing on the wall' to King Belshazzar." - Daniel and the Lions - Early Music New York” - Judith Newmark

— St. Louis Today

Soprano Christine Brandes as Judith, countertenor Drew Minter as the Nurse and tenor James Ruff as Holofernes were in top vocal and musical form...Ruff's tenor, pleasing and secure across a wide range, made a splendid showpiece of 'Mi combatti,' every ornament in place." - La Giuditta - Newberry Consort” - John von Rhein

— Chicago Tribune

Lithe and handsome, Ruff brought a romantic frisson to the story.  Confronting Judith's fierce confidence, his initial wariness and ultimate capitulation were entirely believable." - La Giuditta - Newberry Consort” - Wynne Delacoma

— Chicago Sun Times

Tenor James Ruff has a natural gift for Rossini singing." - Il Turco in Italia - Boston Academy of Music” - Richard Dyer

— The Boston Globe

Young tenor James Ruff made an appealing Academy debut as Paris.  His high, light tenor has a lovely quality to it, and he portrayed the character's narcissism with a winning naturalness that made it seem attributable to Paris' youth and station rather than a repellent character flaw." - La Belle Hélène - Boston Academy of Music” - T.J. Medrek

— Bay Windows

Ruff has the looks for the role, the secure musicianship and a youthfully attractive voice." - Pélléas in Pélléas et Mélisande - Concord Symphony” - Richard Dyer

— The Boston Globe

James Ruff's energetic portrayal of Lindoro, the heroine's lover, saved an otherwise anemic role.  Of all the leads, Ruff's arias are the most consistent, his crescendos gradual and never punched...Ruff displayed a mastery of facial mime and stage presence." - L'Italiana in Algeri - Lowell House Opera” - Lawrence Brown

— The Harvard Crimson

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