Review of Madeleine
“On March 3, in the title role, soprano Claire Leyden was every inch the star, and projected a nicely human fallibility in a character who is not entirely sympathetic. Her lyric soprano is a major instrument, sweet of tone yet able to swell with dramatic force when necessary. Madeleine’s maid Nichette was mezzo Joanna Geffert. Her sizable voice was somewhat darker and richer than what might have been ideal in the part, but she delivered a winning performance, filled with concern for her impetuous mistress. Thomas Woodman lent his sonorous baritone to the too-brief role of Madeleine’s friend the Chevalier de Mauprat, and Andrew Klima’s vibrant tenor was ideal for his effusive romantic passages as Madeleine’s lover Francois, the Duc d’Esterre. As her childhood friend Didier, baritone Jonathan Hare wielded a virile presence and voice, and demonstrated a sensitive use of dynamics reflecting the multi-faceted moods of this character.”
—Eric Myers, Opera News
Link to full review:
https://tinyurl.com/vhrplivereviewoperanews