Critical Prase for Anton Belov
(The New York Festival of Song) "Anton Belov, a baritone with a rich, mellifluous voice. . . The highlight of the evening was Mr. Belovs powerful renditions of Trepak from Mussorgskys Songs and Dances of Death and the title characters aria from Rachmaninoffs Aleko. In Nochenka, a melancholy folk melody, Mr. Belov sounded particularly fine, singing with urgency and soulful pathos."
- The New York Times (Schweitzer)
(Menotti-The Consul) "Anton Belov, as John Sorel, gave a performance of great emotional honesty; singing straight from the heart, Belov poured forth the frustration and urgency of someone fighting for something much more than his own survival."
- Opera News (Chin)
(Kennedy Center Debut) "A voluminous sound, appealing stage presence and a tone of rich vibrancy that remained consistent at all dynamic levels."
- The Washington Post
(Rachmaninoff-Francesca da Rimini, The Bells) "a fine baritone in Anton Belov"
-The New York Times (Holland)
(Rachmaninoff-Francesca da Rimini, The Bells) "Baritone Anton Belov in both works sang with an authority - technical, musical, dramatic - that was almost frightening."
-The New York Sun (Nordlinger)
". . .a Deluxe casting of Anton Belov."
-The New York Times (Midgette)
(La Cenerentola) - "Anton Belov makes a smooth Dandini"
-The New York Times (Holland)
(As Ping in Turandot) "Anton Belov's fine baritone was impressive for the evenness of its registers; he launched Ping's "Ho un' casa nell'Honan" with the subtlety of a Lieder singer."
- Opera News (Shengold)
(As Toreador in Carmen)- The best performance came from Anton Belov as Escamillo. With a strong voice and instinctual command of a scene that is both graceful and forceful, he raised the energy level whenever he was onstage.
- Anchorage Daily News (Dunham)
(As Toreador in Carmen)- "Unquestionably, the real payoff for opera lovers was the full-fledged, grand opera-style performance by Russian baritone Anton Belov as Escamillo, the macho toreador who woos Carmen away from the despairing Don Jose. With his rich, vibrant sound, command of the telling stage gesture, and marked ability to deliver spoken English dialogue convincingly (far better than the American singers), he stole the show. His ebullient "Toreador Song" picked up the opera's flagging momentum, while his fervent aria declaring his love for Carmen revealed nuanced qualities of vocal timbre that simply thrilled."
- Cape Cod Times (Crebo)
(As Conte di Luna in Il Trovatore)- "Anton Belovs firm yet flexible baritone gave the bad guy, di Luna, a believable humanity. Its a big, gorgeous instrument, beguiling in solo scenes comfortably blending in ensembles."
- Anchorage Daily News (Dunham)
(The Songs and Dances of Death) "Using a bright, rich baritone, Belov kept the goosebump factor high."
- Boston Globe (Larson)
(As John Sorel in The Consul) "Anton Belov's ringing baritone served the role of Magda's freedom-fighting husband well."
- Boston Globe (Dyer)
(As Count in Le nozze di Figaro) "Anton Belov tapped into his humanity in ways that few do and has the voice of an emerging star."
- The Philadelphia Inquirer (Stearns)
(Solo Recital) "His voice, has a pleasant sound and the ability to cover several distinct shadings, from tender simplicity to bold, but his great gift is charisma. Almost no one can be impervious to the charm."
- The Philadelphia Inquirer
(Enrico in Lucia di Lammermoor with the Commonwealth Opera)
Anton Belov's performance was one of the highlights of the day. His confident stage presence and strong, balanced voice provided the motivation for plot and glue for the musical setting.
- In the Spotlight
(As Malatesta in Don Pasquale) "Mr. Belov has a smooth baritone voice that fit perfectly with the part. As with others in this fine production, Mr. Belov was naturally animated and displayed good stage presence and acting talent as well as solid vocal ability which he utilized most effectively, especially when on stage with the Don."
- OperaOnline.US
(Savonarola in Enrico Garzilli's Michelangelo World Premiere) "As for the cast, a booming Anton Belov, donning a black robe, is terrific as the evil Savonarola, sounding like the kind of commanding, charismatic figure that can whip up a crowd."
-The Providence Journal (Gray)
"Belov's emotional engagement with the text was immediately apparent. (In Schumann's Dichterliebe) Belov's treatment ranged from an expressive warmth in The Rose or On a Shining Summer Morning, to the darker ironies of "I Bear No Grudge." In "The Rhine," Belov magically transformed his initial, deeply resonant, stentorian tone into gentle portrayal of the beloved one."
- The Buffalo News
(As Don Giovanni) "Baritone Anton Belov in the title role was superb. His strong voice, musicality and good acting skills were evident all night. Oh yes, this "emerging" star has a fistful of first prizes behind him in several competitions, as well as first place in the 2002 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions for the Eastern Region."
- Asbury Park Press
"As Count Almaviva, Russian baritone Anton Belov cuts a deliciously foppish figure. Belov has a way through the resonance and timbre of his voice, suggesting Almaviva’s aristocratic pomposity, without making him thoroughly reprehensible. His folly becomes our folly."
- The Valley News
(As Ping in Turandot) "The ministers Anton Belov (Ping), Jonathan Green (Pang) and Joel Sorensen (Pong) sang suavely. Belov's attractive baritone sounded impressive."
- Courier Post
(Soloist with California Symphony in the world premier of Discovery by Kevin Beavers) "Anton Belov, a Russian-born, now American baritone sang with somber intensity and depth. He has a keen dramatic sense."
- San Francisco Classical Voice (Commanday)
(In Bach's Cantata Ich habe genug) "...a mellifluous tonal palate. Belov flowed easily through the baritone range, sometimes harmonizing with the embedded oboe concerto movement as if it was another singing voice. His scale passages were subtly modulated, never even hinting at the dreaded singing while driving down a bumpy road."
-The New Haven Register
(Soloist in Carmina Burana) "Anton Belov was always expressive, had good attack when needed, and demonstrated a broad vocal range."
- Reno Gazette Journal
(Soloist in Carmina Burana) "...the powerful young Russian born baritone Anton Belov... Mr. Belov copes manfully with the cruelly wide-ranging baritone lines and comes off, his gorgeous dark baritone thoroughly intact at all moments, with a divinely shaped take on Orff's lavish music."
- Reno Online Music Review
(Recital--Newport Music Festival) "Belov boasts of a large and lyrical baritone; this, and his expressive interpretations of the poetry and winning personality made this performance a delight. Particularly memorable was his realization of Balakirevs evocation of authentic cantorial incantations in the song The Jewish Melody. If this performance is any indication, Belovs star is one to watch."
-Boston Musical Intellingencer