“The Americans in the group are the serene and graceful mezzo-soprano Jamie van Eyck, and the sweet toned lyrical tenor, Randy Umstead…Favourites were Umstead’s performance of Yours Is My Heart Alone by Franz Lehár…Romantic Songs of Love was a magnificent and very well-received concert and sets the tone for the classical music offerings at the festival. The production was presented by the National Arts Festival with the support of the American Embassy.”
Keith Millar, artsmart.co.za, July 5, 2015, review of recital at National Arts Festival of South Africa
“The singers were Bronwen Forbay, soprano…Randall Umstead, tenor…There was no weak link here. All four are experienced singers with powerful and well-disciplined voices, and their artistry gave continuous pleasure.”
Michael Green, artsmart.co.za, June 13, 2015, review of solo performance with KZN Philharmonic Orchestra (Dubran, South Africa)
“The three guest soloists were flawless in their evocations of conflicting forces of love, fate, and drink-inspired debauchery… Each of the soloists is required to perform at extreme ranges of their vocal equipment, and each masterfully met those challenges.”
Charles Spining, Arizona Daily Sun, April 19, 2015, review of Carmina Burana
“Randall Umstead delivered the tenor solos with a present, focused sound and tremendous fluidity, shaping lines beautifully.”
Elaine Schmidt, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, December 19, 2013, review of Messiah
“Then tenor Randall Umstead sang the first recitative, "Comfort ye, my people," making the sweetest, gentlest yet firmly supported arc of melody exactly fit the sentiment of the words… All four soloists showed a firm grasp of Baroque style and possess big voices that filled vast St. Mary's in Hales Corners with little apparent effort. All showed great awareness of the words and musical setting.”
Tom Strini, striniwrites.blogspot.com, December 19, 2013, review of Messiah
“All four of the soloists (soprano, mezzo, tenor, and baritone) Saturday evening were absolutely remarkable. As I said above, they were clearly chosen because they were competent and complete (in the truest sense) artists. The startling quality of the soloists was that they were of equally supreme ability: I am sure that none of the audience members left the concert thinking that maybe the tenor was a little better than the mezzo, or the soprano was a little better than the baritone. They were all superb.”
Robin McNeil, opuscolorado.com, December 23, 2013, review of Messiah
“Umstead’s tenor is very bright with upper overtones; it carries so well that ideally a bigger venue than Northwards would have suited his voice better… This concert was one of the best ever at the Northwards venue under the auspices of Richard Cock’s Apollo Music.”
Michael Traub, The Citizen (South Africa), August 7, 2012
“Stravinsky's rhythmic, proto-Russian Mavra featured the clear, gleaming soprano of Emily Albrink and the firm, show stopping tenor voice of Randall Umstead.”
Lawrence Budman, Music and Vision Daily, August 28, 2006 review of Mavra at Tanglewood
“Lyric tenor Randall Umstead, playing the charismatic Vasily (who later dresses as a female cook named Mavra in order to be with his lover Paracha), stole the show. His voice has colors beyond his age, and acting enhanced his fit with this character.”
Jeffrey Johnson, Hartford Courant, July 29, 2006 review of Mavra at Tanglewood
“Tenor Randall Umstead was also impressive as Vasily/Mavra, with exemplary diction and a strong, bright sound.”
Judith Malafronte, Opera News (Online), October 2006 review of Mavra at Tanglewood
"Musically, it's a brilliant work, and the student cast, headed by two sterling-voiced tenors as Albert, Randall Umstead and Brendan Tuohy (Friday and Sunday, respectively), who handled its often rapid dialogue and operatic flights of fancy well."
Mary Ellen Hutton, Cincinnati Post, February 11, 2006 review of Albert Herring at CCM.
“A few nights later the second installment of Argento’s music, the mini-opera or musical monologue, A Water Bird Talk was seen and heard in a marvelously articulate and personable performance by tenor Randall Umstead.”
Charles H. Parsons, Opera News (Online), October 2005 review of A Water Bird Talk at CCM.
“Tenor Randall Umstead delivered lively vocal and stage performances in multiple roles”
Richard Dyer, Boston Globe, July 25, 2001 review of L’enfant et les Sortilèges at Tanglewood