Fernando's debut in Australia, in an all-Handel program with the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, was enthusiastically received by the local press! Here's some of what's been said:
"Look Down Harmonious Saint", a cantata for solo tenor, gave us our first hearing of tenor Fernando Guimarães, whose smoulderingly communicative performance was matched by a velvet tone and sonorous upper register. Guimarães’ judicious use of vibrato gave a bell-like clarity to the more sotto voce passages that gave way to a buoyant agility through Handel’s characterically florid melismas. (...)
…Guimarães displayed control in spades during Handel’s English settings (…) ...providing the perfect foil for Guimarães’ rich and creamy tenor. | Maxim Boon - Limelight Magazine
Handel’s devotional cantata for solo tenor, "Look down, harmonious saint", introduced us to Guimarães’ superbly controlled, warm, mellow timbre, the quality of which doesn’t inhibit quantity, as required. (…) This often makes for very tricky passages, placing very great demands on the vocalist. That’s certainly the case with this compact work, but Guimarães didn’t miss a single melismatic mark. (...) Thereby [in the Ode to St. Cecilia’s Day], we were privileged to hear another spirited rendition by Guimarães. | Syke on Stage
Guimarães led the vocal proceedings with a stunning Look Down Harmonious Saint with “Musick’s force” on display in his upper register and with his very emotive face. | Jacqui Smith - Classik On
Guimaraes' velvety, flexible tenor and confident declamation were a good fit for his solo cantata Look down, harmonious saint. | Martin Duffy - The Sydney Morning Herald
Look Down, Harmonious Saint, a cantata for solo tenor, got off to a more measured start with clarion tones from Guimarães, who has a fine, ringing upper register. (…) Guimarães handled the florid melismatic passages with style. | Joel Meares - The Sydney Morning Herald
Guimarães has a clear, focused sound which is well suited to Handel. He pointed the text dramatically and his coloratura was clean. | Larry Turner - Sounds Like Sydney
…portuguese tenor Fernando Guimarães made a very impressive debut. (...) …the wonderful Cantata "Look Down Harmonious Saint", a rarely heard showcase for very handsome guest artist Guimarães in a thrilling performance. (…) …more vibrant string passages followed and then the hypnotic tenor aria Sharp violins proclaim - marvelously sung by Guimarães. | Lynne Lancaster - Sydney Arts Guide
Portuguese tenor Fernando Guimarães impressed with his clear, unadorned tone and excellent diction. (…) Both soloists possess a strong sense of line and executed their fast coloratura and intricate ornamentations with flair and sensitivity. | Murray Black - The Australian
"Look Down Harmonious Saint", a cantata for solo tenor, gave us our first hearing of tenor Fernando Guimarães, whose smoulderingly communicative performance was matched by a velvet tone and sonorous upper register. Guimarães’ judicious use of vibrato gave a bell-like clarity to the more sotto voce passages that gave way to a buoyant agility through Handel’s characterically florid melismas. (...)
…Guimarães displayed control in spades during Handel’s English settings (…) ...providing the perfect foil for Guimarães’ rich and creamy tenor. | Maxim Boon - Limelight Magazine
Handel’s devotional cantata for solo tenor, "Look down, harmonious saint", introduced us to Guimarães’ superbly controlled, warm, mellow timbre, the quality of which doesn’t inhibit quantity, as required. (…) This often makes for very tricky passages, placing very great demands on the vocalist. That’s certainly the case with this compact work, but Guimarães didn’t miss a single melismatic mark. (...) Thereby [in the Ode to St. Cecilia’s Day], we were privileged to hear another spirited rendition by Guimarães. | Syke on Stage
Guimarães led the vocal proceedings with a stunning Look Down Harmonious Saint with “Musick’s force” on display in his upper register and with his very emotive face. | Jacqui Smith - Classik On
Guimaraes' velvety, flexible tenor and confident declamation were a good fit for his solo cantata Look down, harmonious saint. | Martin Duffy - The Sydney Morning Herald
Look Down, Harmonious Saint, a cantata for solo tenor, got off to a more measured start with clarion tones from Guimarães, who has a fine, ringing upper register. (…) Guimarães handled the florid melismatic passages with style. | Joel Meares - The Sydney Morning Herald
Guimarães has a clear, focused sound which is well suited to Handel. He pointed the text dramatically and his coloratura was clean. | Larry Turner - Sounds Like Sydney
…portuguese tenor Fernando Guimarães made a very impressive debut. (...) …the wonderful Cantata "Look Down Harmonious Saint", a rarely heard showcase for very handsome guest artist Guimarães in a thrilling performance. (…) …more vibrant string passages followed and then the hypnotic tenor aria Sharp violins proclaim - marvelously sung by Guimarães. | Lynne Lancaster - Sydney Arts Guide
Portuguese tenor Fernando Guimarães impressed with his clear, unadorned tone and excellent diction. (…) Both soloists possess a strong sense of line and executed their fast coloratura and intricate ornamentations with flair and sensitivity. | Murray Black - The Australian
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