In Monteverdi's L’incoronazione di Poppea, the final production of the operatic season at the Opéra de Lyon, Hugo Santos made his notable debut in the role of Seneca.

Press excerpts:

"Hugo Santos's Seneca is highly acclaimed." (Classica, Vincent Borel, June 23, 2026)

"Hugo Santos delivers a solid Seneca, whose vocal stability complements his moral authority." (Olyrix, Tony Garnier-David, June 16, 2026)

"The Seneca of bass Hugo Santos is a success: the character, often portrayed negatively in other productions, sometimes deliberately bland, acquires here a superior personality and dimension, through his dramatic performance and almost constant stage presence, but above all through the breadth, fullness, and depth of his voice." (Forumopera, Fabrice Malkani, June 17, 2026)

"Managing to discipline his angular voice, Hugo Santos brings out the velvety quality of his timbre, even treating us to the luxury of a low (and unwritten) D at the end of his performance, a note we haven't heard so clearly and accurately sung live since Nikolai Ghiaurov. Chapeau!“ (Résonances lyriques, Patrick Favre-Tissot-Bonvoisin, June 23, 2026)

"The bass Hugo Santos offers an elegant and striking Seneca, both dramatically and vocally." (Classykeo, Joël Heuillon, June 16, 2026)

"We have often regretted not hearing more of Hugo Santos, who is frequently relegated to small roles. This time, we find him as Seneca to our great pleasure and can thus better appreciate his cavernous projection, whose powerful resonance fills his entire palate. The projection is quite beautiful, and the whole thing gives him a natural authority." (Opera Online, E.M., June 19, 2026)

"The deep, somewhat cavernous instrument of bass Hugo Santos undoubtedly possesses the lowest notes of Seneca." (Anaclase, Irma Foletti, June 15, 2026)

"We are delighted to hear Hugo Santos's appropriate vocal volume throughout the considerable length of the role of Seneca." (Resmusica, Jean-Luc Clairet, 06.23.26)

30.06.26