“Viktor Afanasenko as Gustavo shaped the entire part without ever fluctuating in his excellent performance, with an assured, confident height.“
Orpheus, August 2003, Un Ballo in Maschera in Hamburg

“One could say that, apart putting on Un ballo in maschera, Ibelhauptaite has done another good job. She has introduced Viktor Afanasenko to Lithuania. This singer, with a rich, clear voice, who started his career at the St Petersburg Mussorgsky Opera Theatre, and has lived in Austria since 1994, has achieved a great mastery in a surprisingly short time.

He came to fame with Verdi’s Rigoletto, wich he sang in Japan with the Hamburg State Opera in 1996. Since then, he has sung numerous parts in various European and American theatres.

Lithuania took to Afanasenko from his very first appearance at Trakai. He was then invited to sing Radames in Aida, and Alfred in the traditional Traviata performed on New Year’s Eve. His Cavaradossi in Tosca in the spring of 2002 left even the most finicky opera lovers amazed.
Lithuania in the World, No. 6, 2002

“Luckily, the cast was good, enriched with interesting singers, for most of whom it was their debut in Detroit. Rapidly rising Russian tenor Viktor Afanasenko sang the part of Manrico with a large and powerful voice range, and is a smooth, handsome hero into the bargain. His style is energetic, his high notes impressive.“
Das Opernglas, January 2002, Il Trovatore in Detroit

As Tosca's lover, Cavaradossi, Viktor Afanasenko acts well and sings with passion and style. His voice is particularly strong at the top range.
Tosca/Philadelphia, Mark H. Beers, Philadelphia Weekly, March 29, 2000.

An uncommonly handsome and youthful pair, Pianezzola and Afanasenko engage one's sympathy in the delicate interplay of the Act 1 love duet. The Russian tenor brings impressive detail to his interpretation both physically and textually. His focused high notes please the crowd.
Tosca/Philadelphia, David Shengold, Philadelphia City Paper, March 23 - March 30, 2000.

The very young tenor, Viktor Afanasenko, was a most handsome Cavaradossi. He releaved a lovely voice in his arias.
Tosca/Philadelphia, Raoul Abdul, The New York Amsterdam News, March 30 - April 5, 2000.

The joy of the evening was the superb tenor Viktor Afanasenko. This man gave everything! All heart an heroics! Just what Verdi needs! He is a handsome man and looked appealing in the sexy interpretation of Manrico in this production. But physical beauty is not what I look for a singer. I listen to the voice, and this boy had it! I knew we were in for a treat when he interpolated a D at the end of the first act! His declamatory style was well suited for the music and was even and strong throughout! Hes sang every note like it was 'di quella pira' in Italy he would have had a 20 minute ovation! Bravo!
Frank Braccia, Home Review about 'Il Trovatore'/Oper Bonn/20. November 1998.