„Kowaljow is one of the rising basso cantante stars of this decade, with a beautiful bass voice, sonorous throughout the bass range, and particularly suited to Verdi`s music.“ Opera Warhorse
„The bass Vitalij Kowaljow was a vocally formidable Wotan“
Anthony Tomassini, New York Times
„Kowaljow, a basso cantante, leaves little doubt that he is the first great Wotan of the post-Hotter Wagnerian world. His magnificent voice, which he employs with total ease, is rich in colors and shadings and capable of every nuance.“
Wes Blomster, Opera Today
„Kowaljow is a rich, expressive basso cantante, a powerhouse, with seemingly endless reserves of focused sound throughout the range, whether at full fortissimo or sustained piano. In Forza, I didn`t just hear his voice, I felt it - a rare experience in an opera world increasingly populated with smaller in mid-weight voices. And Kowaljow brought much more. His superb musicianship and impeccable legato enabled him to spin out the Verdi line effortlessly, while his unaffected delivery of the text underscored the character`s humanity and humility.“
Dan Rosenbaum, Opera News
Photography by Luis Condro
With Renée Fleming, October 2011 at San Francisco Opera
Photo: Cory Weaver, SF Opera