La Traviata at the Metropolitan Opera House
“As Alfredo, Stephen Costello was equal parts ardent, impetuous lover and milquetoast idealist. Costello, like Sierra, is the physical embodiment of his role. He is as easy on the eye as he is to the ear. The voice is sure and true, whether leading the rousing Act I Brindisi or hurling out insults. It’s as a lover, however, that Costello was at his best, especially in “De’ miei bollenti spiriti … Il giovanile ardore” in the second act in which he gave voice to the full expression of Alfredo’s love for Violetta.”