“[Susanna] and James Newby’s masterful Count — his commanding account of the Act III aria was a collector’s item, tricky triplets and all — were the standouts.”
— Hugh Canning, The Times
“Count and Countess too were strong-willed characters, with multi prize-winning James Newby as an unusually young-looking Count, whose firm baritone added to his fine stage and vocal presence. ”
— MarkRonan.com
“As Count Almaviva, James Newby drew out his character’s unpleasantness through smooth-toned and persuasive singing, continually exuding injured pride.”
— Jane Shuttleworth, Bachtrack
“There is already a quiet buzz around 26-year-old James Newby, winner of the prestigious Kathleen Ferrier Award in 2016, and it will undoubtedly get louder as news spreads of his dashingly confident performance as Count Almaviva. The blustering rage of ‘Hai gia vinta la causa’ held no fears for him, and there was something almost pathetically sincere about his final repentance. […] Both [Anderson] and Newby are terrific.”
— Rupert Christiansen, The Telegraph
“The fast-rising Newby was on fine form as Almaviva […] Luxury casting indeed.”
— Mark Valenvia, WhatsOnStage
“James Newby’s powerful Count”
— Richard Morrison, The Times
“From among the strong cast, James Newby stands out. With his firm baritone, he presents a Count who on the surface appears so young, dashing and upstanding that it is immensely disconcerting to see just how easily he can become sinister and brutish.”
