Critical Acclaim

The Oregon Symphony – Rossini’s Stabat Mater

Bass Ban Wager was magisterial, with ringing baritone and resonant basso profundo.

James McQuillen, The Oregonian, March 7, 2010

Academy of Vocal Arts - Lucia di Lammermoor

...the stagewise, mellow-toned bass gave a musically well-shaped, dramatically alert performance.

David Shengold, Opera News, June 2009

Academy of Vocal Arts - Anna Bolena

As Enrico (Henry) VIII, Ben Wager wasn't particularly suited vocally to this kind of opera, but he's a hugely compelling vocal and theatrical presence, particularly in the way his staging was framed by the V-shaped set design.

David Patrick Stearns, The Philadelphia Inquirer

As Enrico (Henry) VIII, Havertown native Ben Wager showed off a handsomely unctuous bass…

Peter Burwasser, The Philadelphia City Paper

Ben Wager dominates the stage as a youthful and charismatic Enrico.

Robert Baxter, ConcertoNet.com

Chicago Opera Theater – Don Giovanni

Isabel Leonard's fresh and sparkling Zerlina was complemented by the handsome, sonorous Masetto of Ben Wager. Both are terrific.

John van Rhein, Chicago Tribune

…and her Masetto, Ben Wager, seems on an upward trajectory.

Andrew Patner, Chicago Sun Times

• Opera New Jersey – Rigoletto

  Ben Wager, too youthful and gym-toned a Monterone to merit being called "Vecchio" by Rigoletto, nonetheless proved striking in this often undercast part, with a strong, wide-ranging instrument and commanding presence.

  David Shengold, Opera News Online

• Academy Of Vocal Arts – Così Fan Tutte

  AVA's stellar cast was led by bass Ben Wager as Don Alfonso...Wager sang with lustrous power and gave a portrayal brimming over with wicked glee.

  Michael Caruso, The Chestnut Hill Local

• AVA's stellar cast was led by bass Ben Wager as Don Alfonso...Wager sang with lustrous power and gave a portrayal brimming over with wicked glee.

  Robert Baxter, The Courier-Post

• Opera New Jersey - Die Zauberflöte

  Bass Ben Wager added an attractive voice and an appealing stage presence to the Speaker's appearances.

  Robert Baxter, The Courier-Post

• Academy Of Vocal Arts – Rossini’s Stabat Mater

  Two of the singers Saturday evening were the focus of particular attention. Bass Ben Wager, a longtime resident of nearby Havertown, wasn't originally scheduled to sing the aria, "Pro peccatis suae gentis" (For the sins of His people), from Rossini's "Stabat Mater" (The Mournful Mother), but he did -- and did so beautifully. He employed his incredibly dark timbre to dramatically delineate the pain suffered by the Blessed Virgin Mary as she watched her Son dying on the cross.

  Michael Caruso, The News of Delaware County

• Academy Of Vocal Arts - Der Freischütz

  ...Ben Wager, as the satanic agent Kaspar, had the vocal goods and the histrionic fearlessness to show what Der Freischutz can be.

  David Patrick Stearns, The Philadelphia Inquirer

• The best overall performance came from bass-baritone Ben Wager, totally confident vocally and theatrically as the villainous Kaspar.

  David Shengold, The Philadelphia City Paper

• But the two who brought their characters to life were bass Ben Wager, as Kaspar, the bad guy, and Evelyn Pollock as Agathe's perky cousin, Annchen.

  George Hall, The Stage, June 5, 2007

• The part of the Prince is sung by Bryan Hymel, a fine tenor who sings with great passion.

  Dick Saunders, Main Line Times

• Bass Ben Wager portrayed Kaspar with theatrical immediacy and vocal maturity.  His acting within the confines of a concert performance caught Kaspar's wicked desperation while his singing spanned the gamut of emotions through a broad range and deep reservoir of colors and dynamics.  His German diction was the finest of the evening.

  Michael Caruso, The News of Delaware County

• Academy Of Vocal Arts - Il Barbiere Di Siviglia

  Wager's Basilio was the most complete and accomplished characterization, and though from nearby Havertown, his vocal quality is unmistakably Slavic.

  David Patrick Stearns, The Philadelphia Inquirer

• Ben Wager, a promising young bass with a touch of comic madness, was a standout as Don Basilio.

  Dick Saunders, Main Line Times