Solo reviews

30 March, 2019 | Haydn ‘The Creation’

“[James Oldfield] brought a solid command to the roles of Raphael and Adam, deploying rich tones and a nice top edge to Rolling in foaming billows, and a warmth to his later duets with Eve; his neighing and bleating in Strait opening complemented the orchestra’s own animal impressions with well-judged wit."

-Music OMH

17 November, 2017 | Handel 'Joshua'

"The Whitehall Choir clearly showed how well prepared it was, while the soloists were well chosen. Greg Tassell’s strong and assertive tenor as Joshua contrasted well with James Oldfield’s robust yet warm bass-baritone in the role of Caleb. Joseph Bolger revealed a highly aesthetically pleasing countertenor as Othniel while, as Achsah, Miriam Allan displayed an extremely sweet, lithe and beautiful soprano."

— Music OMH

13 November, 2016 | Rossini 'Petite Messe Solennelle'

"The soloists were at one with Richard Laing's vision of the work. Soprano April Fredrick, contralto Rhonda Browne, tenor Charne Rochford and baritone James Oldfield all had strong, stylish approaches to Rossini's highly operatic solo arias whilst blending beautifully in ensemble. Here was a solo quartet who reached out to the audience with their eyes as well as their voices."

- Nottingham Post

25 January, 2016 | Handel 'Samson'

"James Oldfield’s characterisation of Manoah was not as dramatic as Samson’s, his son, but his deep voice did convey a sincere pathos in “But who’d be now a father in my stead?" Oldfield’s velvety tone in the lower register contrasted with the tauter sound of Jonathan Best’s Harapha."

- Bachtrack

29 April, 2015 | Mozart 'Coronation Mass'

"What a pleasure it was to hear the four soloists – Sarah Dacey, Catherine Backhouse, Greg Tassell and James Oldfield – working together as a cohesive ensemble and not just four individuals."

- Derby Telegraph

22 June, 2014 | Mendelssohn 'Elijah'

"What a pleasure it was to hear the four soloists – Sarah Dacey, Catherine Backhouse, Greg Tassell and James Oldfield – working together as a cohesive ensemble and not just four individuals”

- Bournemouth Echo

01 March, 2011 | Taylor 'Ludd and Isis'

"James Oldfield excelled as the human voice of the puppet Ludd - not an easy thing to pull off."

- Opera Now

24 December, 2010 | Handel 'Messiah'

"The 2010 account of Handel’s oratorio was one of the most dramatic and musically interesting one could hope for.

Illness forced Henry Waddington to pull out and he was replaced by the young bass singer James Oldfield, currently rehearsing Carmen with Opera North. He performed with verve and his slightly veiled quality of voice was especially suited to the recitative "For behold, darkness shall cover the earth".

There were cheers and a standing ovation at the conclusion of the performance."

- Huddersfield Examiner