“As Elder explained, Barbera had been a late-comer to the project, after the withdrawal of the original tenor. Though you’d never have known it, Barbera had only a week to master the part that Donizetti originally composed for Rubini, famous for his high tessitura. Elder praised the American stand-in for his voix mixte ability, which was on thrilling display in the cavatina ‘Lontano, io più l’amai’, accompanied by Caroline Dearnley’s exquisite cello.” – Classical Source

“René Barbera was stepping in as Idamore, who has an aria encompassing 13 high C’s and C sharps. In his welcome speech Elder praised the American tenor’s mastery of voix mixte in this Rubini role, which he had learnt in a week. [Barbera] endeared himself to the audience with his sweet tone, accuracy and grace.” – Opera Magazine