10 DAYS IN A MADHOUSE
Role: Dr. Josiah Blackwell | Composer: Rene Orth | Company: Tapestry Opera / Canadian Opera Company
Production Photography: Eric Forget
CRITICAL ACCLAIM
"He is utterly convincing in the role, his baritone voice just the right shade of menacing..."
- The Globe and Mail
Jorell Williams' portrayal of Dr. Josiah Blackwell has drawn strong critical attention in the Canadian premiere of 10 Days in a Madhouse (Tapestry Opera / Canadian Opera Company / Luminato Festival).
"Baritone Jorell Williams was the epitome of the
wolf in sheep's clothing in his portrayal of a saccharinely sinister psychiatrist. He judiciously
and deftly used straight-toned, quiet pitches in contrast to a rich, hearty vibrato to bring an
extremely eerie quality to this role, crafting the
kind of antagonist that we love to hate."
- Broadway World
"As Doctor Josiah Blackwell, Jorell Williams
was astonishing...Given, in my opinion, the
hardest vocal lines in the show, we get to hear every extent of Williams’s massive range.
Every note well placed, every consonant crisp,
and every intention clear.
- Schmopera
“In a performance rich in demonstrable authority flashed with smoldering menace… the gifted American singer-actor charmed and
alarmed in near equal measure.”
- Opera Going Toronto
PRESS HIGHLIGHTS
Ludwig Van Toronto
“Williams’ portrayal of Dr. Blackwell
felt intentionally clinical, embodying the emotional distance and institutional authority that the
opera seeks to critique.”
The Globe and Mail
“He’s so good that on opening night,
it was almost difficult to applaud
the gifted singer.”
Opera Canada
“ Baritone Jorell Williams as Dr. Blackwell, the only male voice in
the cast, offered a nice contrast
and sang with cool detachment
totally suited to his character.”
Bachtrack
“Williams was convincing and
coped very well with a fairly
high baritone role.”