“...Monsieur de Brétigny, sung by baritone Stephen Gaertner...added unique vocal and acting charms that kept the love story front and center. [He] also carried the chauvinistic attitude dominant at the time, adding the essential salt to the wound playing out before our eyes.” (Lois Silverstein, www.operawire.com, October 27, 2026)
“American baritone Stephen Gaertner offered a stalwart De Brétigny, seeming to have real concern for Manon, unlike her [cousin] Lescaut.” (Michael Milenski, www.operatoday.com, October 27, 2026)
“...baritone Stephen Gaertner, in his San Francisco Opera debut season, took on the...role of De Brétigny with a sturdy performance.” (William Burnett, www.operawarhorses.com, October 24, 2026)
“...the debuting Stephen Gaertner took on...De Brétigny with great panache, giving the [role] nuanced substance rather than mere comic relief.” (Michael Anthonio, www.parterre.com, October 21, 2026)
“Baritone Stephen Gaertner (De Brétigny), making his house debut...lent comic relief and solid singing as the fussy and entitled [suitor].” (Harvey Steiman, www.seenandheard-international.com, October 16, 2026)
Verdi: La Forza del Destino - “Morir! Tremenda cosa...Urna fatale”
New Amsterdam Opera, March 24, 2017
Bizet: Carmen - “Votre toast, je peux vous le rendre”
Opéra Royal de Wallonie, December 21, 2010
Puccini: Edgar - “Questo amor, vergogna mia”
Opera Orchestra of New York, Carnegie Hall, April 13, 2008
Donizetti: Dom Sébastien - “Eh quoi! des danses et des fętes!...Levez-vous!”
Opera Orchestra of New York, Carnegie Hall, November 7, 2006
Leoncavallo: Zingari - “Bella! Bella! Sei qui tutta fremente” (audio only)
Opera Rara recording session (November 2021) Tamar - Stephen Gaertner Fleana - Krassimira Stoyanova Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Carlo Rizzi, conductor
Teatro de la Ópera, San Juan, Puerto Rico (October 6, 2016) Iago - Stephen Gaertner Otello - Rafael Dávila Orquesta Sinfonica de Puerto Rico Rafael Enrique Irizarry, conductor Gilberto Valenzuela, director
Teatro de la Ópera, San Juan, Puerto Rico (October 6, 2016) Iago - Stephen Gaertner Cassio - Peter Rivera Orquesta Sinfonica de Puerto Rico Rafael Enrique Irizarry, conductor Gilberto Valenzuela, director
Teatro de la Ópera, San Juan, Puerto Rico (October 6, 2016) Iago - Stephen Gaertner Cassio - Peter Rivera Roderigo - Esteban Cordero Orquesta Sinfonica de Puerto Rico Rafael Enrique Irizarry, conductor Gilberto Valenzuela, director
Leoncavallo: Zazŕ - “Zazŕ, piccola zingara” (audio only)
Princeton Festival, Princeton, New Jersey (June 30, 2012) Lanceotto Malatesta - Stephen Gaertner Francesca Malatesta - Caroline Worra Paolo Malatesta - Rolando Sanz Dante Alighieri - Samuel Green Ghost of Virgil - Nathaniel Olson Princeton Festival Orchestra Richard Tang Yuk, conductor
De Brétigny
Massenet: Manon
October 15, 18m, 21, 24, 27, 30, November 1m, 2026
