Isabel is “beguiling” and “marvelous” as Cherubino at The Met!
Critics are calling Isabel Leonard’s performance as Cherubino in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro “one of the finest trouser-role performances in memory” (New York Classical Review) at The Metropolitan Opera.
“The plush, animated mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard is a beguiling Cherubino…”
Anthony Tommasini – The New York Times
“Finer still was mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard, whose Cherubino is one of the finest trouser-role performances in memory. Her singing is full and clear as a bell, and the way she stands and moves around is completely boyish yet masculine. She’s hilarious . . .”
George Grella – New York Classical Review
“Isabel Leonard has become a fan favorite at the Met after some terrific performances over the years. But her Cherubino might just be the best of the lot from a vocal and dramatic standpoint. She played the young boy to perfection.
David Salazar – Latin Post
“Ms. Voigt found “the unity of the cast” to be the best part of “The Marriage of Figaro,” singling out the mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard’s portrayal of a lovestruck young boy, Cherubino. “I’ve never been so drawn to the Cherubino character before,” she said. “I think I have a girl crush.”
Pia Catton – Wall Street Journal feature
“Isabel Leonard is a marvelous Cherubino, squirming and lusting and leering and ducking as if she had been reborn as a teenage boy, but with the voice of a confident woman.”
Justin Davidson – Vulture.com
“Isabel Leonard made a winsome, pure-voiced Cherubino, complete with an amusing sashay in heels . . .”
Ronni Reich – nj.com
“Isabel Leonard’s libidinous Cherubino made the adolescent a worthy rival of the Count.”
George Loomis – The Financial Times
“Isabel Leonard is perfectly ardent and amusing as the love-struck young man Cherubino . . .”
Joe Dziemianowicz – New York Daily News
“ . . . she had fun embodying the teenage boy Cherubino . . .”
Anne Midgette – Washington Post