Angels in America - Châtelet, Paris
"...the camp but caring nurse, Belize, here given a marvelous performance by countertenor Derek Lee Ragin, who also doubled convincingly as the hallucinatory Mister Lies and a Bronx bag-lady."
Stephen Mudge, Opera News, February 2005 , vol 69 , no.8

Midsummer Night's Dream - Opera Theater of St. Louis
"The Phoenix Boys Choir sang with verve, and Derek Lee Ragin (Oberon), Elizabeth Futral (Tytania) and Thomas Barrett (Bottom) led a well-matched cast."
Opera News, November 1992

Concert with Revel
"...if anyone can communicate the drama, it's Derek Lee Ragin, draped in bright instrumental clothing..."
CompleteSan Francisco Voice Review

Seattle Recital

"Whatever he sings, Ragin sings with ardent musicality coupled with suppleness of technique and liquid phrasing. At times, he is the virtuoso, displaying his florid technique; but Ragin is also a singer of lyric breadth and remarkable warmth. That he can do both with such apparent ease is what makes him the artist he is. "
Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"The American-born Derek Lee Ragin is one of the best, and best-known, of today's thrivingg countertenors, and he made his Seattle debut yesterday under the auspices of the Early Music Guild with lutenist Peter Croton. Ragin's voice is most effective in the range from about middle C up to a tenth or eleventh above, and most of this program concentrated there, displaying a technique of brilliant facility in even the most intricate runs and passagework. Alacrity, diction and phrasing all contributed to an unusually expressive approach which bespoke high-level artistry."
The Seattle Times

Sydney, Australia (recital?)
"Ragin’s voice is an attractive instrument: the tonal quality is gentle and velvety, never harshly forced... the voice is flexible, with an agility that lends itself well to bravura passages."
Sydney Morning Herald

Angels in America - Châtelet, Paris
"Derek Lee Ragin lent his intelligence, vocal charm and smile to Harper's imaginary friend, Mr. Lies, and the nurse Belize. "
New York Times

St. Paul Chamber Orchestra concert
"To be sure, Derek Lee Ragin is one of the more effective countertenors working today. Ragin's delicately shaded "But who may abide" avoided the metallic sound that plagues the work of many men capable of the high tenor roles, and he brought an appropriate anguish to "He was despised." (Messiah/St. Paul Chamber Orchestra)
Minneapolis Star Tribune

Chicago Concert
"Ragin, who was also making his Chicago debut, handled them ("Cruda Amarilli" by d'India and "A miei pianti" and "Aria de Romanesca" by Frescobaldi) with asured vocal techniques and appropriate superciliousness. Ragin wrapped up the recital with some of Purcell's most entrancing vocal music: two songs from "The Faerie Queen" and three odes to the charms of music. WIth his warm, lustruous voice, the young countertenor swooned and dazzled, caressing each syllable with rapture."
Chicago Tribune

Artsong Recital review
" Mr. Ragin began his rapturous program with three songs by Henry Purcell, Music For A While, Sweeter Than Roses and Evening Hymn. Mr. Ragin sang these pieces with simple elegance. He is to be commended for his excellent execution of the florid runs in Sweeter than Roses. ... In contrast to the Purcell, these pieces allowed him to utilize more depth and color in the voice. Beautifully sung, these pieces revealed the richer mezzo quality of his voice, without his having to resort to heavy chest tones. ... In the concluding aria from Tamerlano, Ah dispetto, Mr. Ragin further asserted his place as a champion of Handelian aria in this dazzling piece sung with fierce articulation and runs that were a true display of pyrotechnics."

Articles

Cleveland Plain Dealer feature article, Wilma Salisbury
"...Whether singing in English or Italian, Ragin gave each vowel a tone color as distinctive as individual stops on a baroque pipe organ. The "oo" sound was a marvel of flutey head resonance. Other vowels resembled a diapason with tremolo..."

Feature article, Oberlin
"A Friendly Conspiracy"

U.S. OperaWeb article
"Honest Talk With Derek Lee Ragin"