Postcard Reviews... the word is out

So lots of people don't like to read reviews, but I am one of those people that is interested to see what the public thought... :) Voilà here is what I found...

Argento’s score provides the vocalists with many opportunities for stunning virtuoso turns. We have a “Lady with a Hand Mirror” given a coloratura soprano part, executed last night by Suzanne Rigden with dazzling panache.

STEPHEN SMOLIAR- http://www.examiner.com/article/merola-s-venture-into-dominick-argento-s-imagined-world?cid=CommunityPacific

Suzanne Rigden hit some impossibly high notes dead-on

http://abeastinajungle.blogspot.com/2012/07/postcard-from-morocco.html

Suzanne Rigden was a bright-toned Lady with a Hand Mirror

http://operatattler.typepad.com/opera/2012/07/merola-postcard-from-morocco.html

Soprano Suzanne Rigden gave a zesty, piquant performance as an operetta singer

San Francisco Chronicle July 20, 2012 by Joshua Kosman

Soprano Suzanne Rigden has a strong, high & brilliant sound, & her voice was easy to pick out even in the ensemble passages.

Axel Feldheim - http://nffo.blogspot.com/

Coloratura soprano Suzanne Rigden (A Lady with a Hand Mirror/An Operetta Singer) was almost as commanding. Her voice is large and very bright, her vocalism secure, and her movements lovely to watch. Only the lack of a distinctive timbre and clear characterization held her back from breaking through the opera’s intentional fog.

Jason Victor Serinus – San Francisco Classical Voice

Final Dress! My favourite!

Rise and shine... 

When I get excited, or nervous for that matter, I often wake up very early. Today is no exception. I woke up at 6am but I am okay with it, because I often get some of my best work done in the morning. 

Today our Final Dress rehearsal of Postcard from Morocco is at 2pm! I am looking forward to it. Last night we had our Orchestra run-through and now we are "pumped up" and ready to go! It is one of my most rewarding operas that I have worked on. It was completely an ensemble piece where we all collaborated to achieve the final product. It is 90 minutes of pure concentration. I even get to some sort of meditative state which is very exciting to think that is possible during an opera.

I hope that everyone enjoys!!

Have a wonderful Tuesday.

Suzanne

Long but wonderful days

We had our fourth run through of the opera today... It is so exciting how close we are getting. It is fine tuning at this point which is lots of fun. It has been a journey and half and I am so glad to have been invited along on the ride.

I am just impressed every day at the level of artistry of this group. So exciting to get to know them also throughout the summer. I am so happy to have had a second kick at the can!

Day at Merola is coming up on Wednesday!! WAHOO!! Looking forward to letting people into our lives :)

Happy Monday!