"...Brian Asawa, who already sang the role in the Scala, the Met, Covent Garden and Paris, creates the most cunning, deceitful and lustful Tolomeo. With his firm staccato in his arias and a fine example of legato in the recitativos he sings fascinatingly though all registers from top to bottom like the role demands."

"The event of the evening, however, was the appearance of male soprano Brian Asawa, fresh from his performances with Seattle Opera as the villain in Handel's "Guilio Cesare." A dramatic and compelling singer, he brought considerable presence as well as superb technique and musicianship to arias from the opera "L'Olimpiade" and cantata "Cessate, omni cessate," both by Vivaldi."

"Countertenor Brian Asawa as Tolomeo, Cleopatra's brother and rival, sang with accuracy and passion."

"Countertenor Brian Asawa brought a delightfully sneering malevolence to his bratty, belly-thrusting, pharaonic Tolomeo."

"....of her conniving brother Tolomeo (countertenor Brian Asawa, in top form both vocally and dramatically)."

"...are few more lyrical high male voices around, and Asawa's pure, clear countertenor projected well.... He brought agility, crisp articulation and a poised lyrical line to the Handel pieces, hurling furious thunderbolts in an aria from Vivaldi's "L'Olimpiade."

No matter what language he is singing, Asawa cares about getting the words across and he brought a particularly keen attention to textual nuance in the Dowland pieces. What's more, he rose to the full-throated climax of Schubert's "Ganymed" without disturbing his smooth tonal finish."

"Asawa possesses a voice of arresting beauty and all the fioratura finesse to make his a remarkable performance. As if that were not enough, he’s an excellent actor who obviously relishes his character’s petulance and machinations."

"...The role of the mean Ptolemy, Cleopatra's brother, is brilliantly sung by the Japanese-American countertenor Brian Asawa. With his da capo virtuoses, his impeccable sharp and deep sonorous notes and a strong, well-driven line, Asawa confers to his personage all the necessary worry. His very original interpretation ... according to Opera News, has earned him many successes in this role, notably in Paris, Barcelona and New York. He also sang Sesto in 2002 with the Canadian Opera Company of Toronto..."

"...the strength and clarity of his high-pitched singing contributed to the quality of the production from New York's Metropolitan Opera, which was staged with lively assurance..."

"...And Asawa has never been in better form. If he feels threatened at all by the increasing countertenor hoard, he must be channeling that emotion into singing and acting like a house on fire."

"Here were thrills galore ... the surging drama of Brian Asawa's riveting alto solos..."

"Asawa's expressive sound and graceful ornamentation made ... one of the evening's highlights."

"Brian Asawa was a standout, his voice an instrument of great power that filled the stone sanctuary."

"Brian Asawa can deploy the silky velvet of his timbre to express the charm of the inconstant prince Licida and to assert himself as the star..."