The Emperor of Atlantis , Boston Lyric Opera
"And Andrew Wilkowske hit the mark dead center as Emperor Überall, capturing both the absurd performance art of political demagoguery and the primal human bewilderment in the face of Death." Opera News, February 1, 2011
"The baritone Andrew Wilkowske's portrayal of Overall captures both his manic swagger and the crumbling of his veneer " The New York Times , February 2, 2011
"Andrew Wilkowske makes an amusing, Chaplinesque Emperor Überall, who undergoes a moral conversion, sings movingly, and allows himself to become Death's first victim. " Boston Globe, February 3, 2011
"Baritone Andrew Wilkowske brings a darker image to the performance as the Emperor himself. While his character brings an anxious and uneasy mood to the stage, his voice brought light and charm, which were fueled by his reliably sincere timbre, tone, and color." The Uptempo Magazine, February 3, 2011
La Cenerentola, The Minnesota Opera
"But the most memorable characterization comes from Andrew Wilkowske. He's the prince's valet but, when asked to masquerade as his master, he sinks his teeth into the role...and the scenery."Pioneer Press, November 1, 2010
"Foremost amongst the jesters are celebrated buffo bass Donato DiStefano as the irascible Don Magnifico and local favorite Andrew Wilkowske lending his vibrant baritone to the over-the-top antics of faux prince Dandini.Twin Cities Performance Art Examiner,November 1, 2010
"Andrew Wilkowske, a familiar voice to audiences here, made the most of his role as Dandini, the valet who portrays the Prince, and he sang with impressive resonance."MinnPost, November 1, 2010
"In a cast without weaknesses,...Andrew Wilkowske's hammy, swaggering Dandini and John Tessier's ardent agile Ramiro are also noteworthy." Star Tribune, November 1, 2010
The Chocolate Soldier, Bard Summerscape
"As Bumerli, Andrew Wilkowske not only gives us a forceful baritone but a singer and actor...rendering his duet of 'The Letter Song' with energy and vitality."
The Millbrook Independent, August 11, 2010
"Baritone Andrew Wilkowske was perfect as Bumerli 'The Chocolate Soldier' with the proper romantic swagger and vocal charm to win all the ladies on stage."
Hudson Register Star, August 13, 2010
The Grapes of Wrath, Carnegie Hall
"Perfectly cast, Wilkowske carried off the evening's most challenging scene with sweet singing, sensitive acting, and overall aplomb....If new creative teams can work with the material as effectively as singers like Andrew Wilkowske [et al] have assimilated their roles, then audiences have something to look forward to. "
Opera Today. March 28, 2010
"Wilkowske's rich tenor embodied the innocence of Noah's pure, uncomplicated nature"
Backstage, March 23, 2010
"[The baby Moses and Noah] scenes, providing heavy-duty work from a couple of subsidiary characters, turned out to be the most ecstatically cheered of the evening."
Playbill, March 29, 2010
The Marriage of Figaro, Skylight Opera Theatre
"Andrew Wilkowske delivers an irrepressible Figaro, concocting stories and plots on the fly. He sings the role with warmth, ease and tremendous character."
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, January 31, 2010
"Wilkowske did not merely sing, he probed and quipped and threw away lines with the music, and did it in a big, round satisfying way."
Third Coast Digest, January 31, 2010
"Wilkowske is a charming, energetic, vocally pleasing Figaro."
Shepherd Express, February 3, 2010
The Barber of Seville, Skylight Opera Theatre
"Andrew Wilkowske is a charming, easy-going Figaro. He sings with power
and character, making the arias a natural extension of his comically conspiratorial
character."
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, September 30, 2009
"Wilkowske's ease with rapid-fire patter was only the beginning of his vocal
charm. He made the singing sound easy, which it's not...Wilkowske's utter
confidence as a singer conveyed Figaro's essence."
Third Coast Digest, September 19, 2009
"Andrew Wilkowske has a commanding and charming presence as Figaro."
Milwaukee Magazine, September 20 ,2009
"...Figaro, so aptly played by Andrew Wilkowske, is the star of the show....His
baritone voice is very impressive."
Waukesha Freeman, September 24, 2009
Le Nozze di Figaro, Ashlawn Opera
"Andrew Wilkowske plays Figaro with robust forthright sincerity and infinite
charm. His baritone voice is strong and flexible, and the energy he projects
is delightful."
The News and Advance, July 30, 2009
Le Nozze di Figaro, Green Mountain Opera Festival
"Baritone Andrew Wilkowske was ideally cast as the warm-hearted, all-too-human
Figaro...his execution was full of the ease and warmth that make this character
so lovable."
Opera Canada, Fall 2009
"I was so delighted to hear Andrew Wilkowske, the Figaro...He is perhaps
the most enchanting and real Figaro that I have ever encountered."
The Eagle, July 1, 2009
The Adventures of Pinocchio, Minnesota Opera
“The Minnesota Opera fielded a large and excellent cast for this story
of a naughty wooden puppet's moral and social education, including baritone
Andrew Wilkowske as Pinocchio's devoted father and creator, Geppetto.”
The Wall Street Journal, March 6, 2009
“As Pinocchio's father Geppetto, Andrew Wilkowske uses his lush baritone
to project a warmth of sentiment befitting a protective parent.”
examiner.com, March 1, 2009
The Grapes of Wrath, Pittsburgh Opera
“...Wilkowske's clear baritone portrayed the naked pathos of this moment
and revealed that Noah's character is not as one-dimensional as the family
(or the audience) had assumed.”
American Record Guide, March/April 2009
La Traviata, Skylight Opera
“...the best scene paired Borg with baritone Andrew Wilkowske, as Germont.
As he threatened, chastised and flattered her into giving up his son, his singing
hurried, lingered and changed colors to reveal the proportions of sincerity
and manipulation. ”
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, February 2, 2008
The Magic Flute, Eugene Opera
“Andrew Wilkowske was a vocal and dramatic delight as the bird catcher,
Papageno.”
Eugene Register-Guard, December 31, 2008
The Grapes of Wrath, Minnesota Opera
“…and baritone Andrew Wilkowske is moving as retarded son Noah,
whose suicide by drowning is expanded from the novel to conclude Act Two.”
Opera Today, February 13, 2007
“Perhaps the most evocative sequence of the evening arrives at the end
of the second act, when Noah (Andrew Wilkowske) drowns himself. Korie writes
a heartbreaking lyric, and Wilkowske is lifted into the air behind a projection
as he dies; in that moment, Meek steps into a spotlight to sing a final lullaby
to her son. Dry eyes are in short supply.”
Variety, February 16, 2007
“As Meek [Ma Joad] is center stage, floating high above her is the adult
Noah (achingly acted and sung by Andrew Wilkowske)...”
MusicWeb International, February 17, 2007
Hansel & Gretel, Skylight Opera Theatre
“Andrew Wilkowske brings a strong, warm, controlled sound to the role of
the children’s father”
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, September 23, 2006
Madama Butterfly, Los Angeles Opera
“…and Andrew Wilkowske as Prince Yamadori rounded out the extremely
accomplished ensemble cast”
Opera Online, January 21, 2006
Excerpts from Die Zauberflöte, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
“The Whimsy comes with Papageno (Andrew Wilkowske, who commanded both the music and the stage…”
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, November 4, 2006
Nixon in China, Minnesota Opera
“And Andrew Wilkowske, though he looked more like Al Franken than Henry
Kissinger, got ample fun out of the work's only real comic character.”
Minneapolis Star Tribune, May 16, 2005
“…Andrew Wilkowske is vibrant as Henry Kissinger, the comic foil
of the opera.”
Aisle Say Twin Cities, May 2005
Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, North
Star Opera
St. Paul, Minnesota
“Alas, on the ballads, only one performer truly taps into the interwoven
idealism and cynicism that made Brel such an original: Andrew Wilkowske. The
former Minnesota Opera resident artist delivers a chilling “Alone” and
makes the sad farewell to love, “Fanette,” the most deeply moving
song in the show. But his comfort level with the material even stands out in
the faster full-cast numbers: While others work hard to sell the songs, Wilkowske’s
strong voice and onstage ease prove far more magnetic.”
St. Paul Pioneer Press, December 18, 2004
The Magic Flute, Virginia Opera
“Wilkowske’s garrulous yet endearing Papageno stole the show.
Whether humming with a padlocked mouth or singing with mate Papagena, Wilkowske
was comically charming.”
The Washington Post, November 25, 2003
“…Chief among the recruits was baritone Andrew Wilkowske as Papageno.
The part is a gift for a lyric baritone, and Wilkowske showed a fine voice,
and engaging stage presence.”
The Virginian-Pilot, November 9, 2003
The Merry Widow, Minnesota Opera
“…At the head of the line of standout performers were Matt Boehler
and Andrew Wilkowske, as Njegus and Zeta, respectively. The two played off
one another hilariously, and both sang with pleasing and hearty good humor.”
Opera News Online, February 2003