San Francisco
Opera (2005)
Georg Friedrich Händel Rodelinda
...hearing da capo repeats judiciously ornamented proved a rare pleasure
in this house. In the title role, Catherine Naglestad repeated her success
as Alcina...she brought profound soulfulness to 'Ombre, piante', heroic
resolve to 'Morrai, si', and passion to the Act 2 duet with David Daniels's
Bertarido.
Opera
...a goldstandard cast headed by Catherine Naglestad and David Daniels...
Naglestad whose vocal reserves seem limitless, inhabited the title role
with equal parts tenderness and dignity. Her Rodelinda was long-suffering,
but not past hope (or rage). Boasting both keen dramatic focus and astonishing
vocal stamina, she sang all eight of her character's arias; a meltingly
beautiful, masterfully shaped "Ritorna, o caro" and an exquisitely ornamented
"Se 'l mio duol" were the evening's magestic high points
Opera News
..the musical performance was stylish and impressive. The soprano Catherine
Naglestad was a rich-voiced and vulnerable Rodelinda.
The New York Times
Catherine Naglestad plays the role to the hilt, from desperate to deeply
loving, her soprano utterly even and drop-dead gorgeous from top to bottom.
Dallas Morning News
Catherine Naglestad filled the role admirably. Singing with flawless tone
and utter assurance, the soprano invested Rodelinda with an affecting
tenderness over an unflinching moral center. This was a Rodelinda of passion
and strength Contra Costa Times
Soprano Catherine Naglestad, in the title role, brought beauty of sound
and authenticity of emotion to everything she sang, gathering strength
as the evening proceeded. She was ardent in love, furious in defying Grimoaldo
and heartbroken in laments, particularly in Act III when she thought Bertarido
had been killed... the meeting of Rodelinda and Bertarido, in the remarkable
persons of Naglestad and Daniels was a high point. It began with Naglestad's
rapturous singing of 'Ritorna, o caro' and culminated as they were again
separated in a despairing affirmation of their love.
San Francisco Classical Voice
...featuring a cast that will be talked about for years...right along
with Catherine Naglestad's true diva performance in the title role...Naglestad
and Daniels brought tears to many eyes in the audience with their melting
(and yet 'properly baroque') lyricism, the two voices merging into one
transcendent sound...one of several, of many magic moments.
San Diego/Opera West
Predictably, Naglestad sang the laments beautifully...
San Francisco Examiner
