Piotr Beczala’s New York recital debut — and first time at Carnegie Hall — on Friday evening was met with acclaim from critics and a nearly sold-out audience. The tenor’s program of Schumann, Karlowicz, Dvorak, and Rachmaninoff “beautifully showcased his rich, virile voice, with its appealingly dark undertow,” according to the New York Times. The Times also noted the warm reception, noting that the renowned tenor “has developed an ardent fan base in recent years. That much was evident from the adoring capacity crowd that turned out for his recital debut.”

“Nobody does plangent as well, or as tastefully,” added the Times. “On certain words he pushes his voice to the edge of a sob, where it gives off a glint of molten metal.”

Piotr “likely could have sold out Carnegie’s main hall without too much trouble,” added the New York Classical Review. “From the very beginning of ‘Zawód’ (Disillusion), the first of a set of seven songs by Mieczyslaw Karlowicz, his awareness of the text was clear, and the signature Beczala sound, full-bodied, bright, and subtly spiced, was apparent.”

Piotr can next be heard in Santa Monica this week with a concert at the Broad Stage.