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Reviews

A “splendid” La Cenerentola at Lyric Opera of Chicago

06 Oct 2015 / in Reviews

“The troupe’s theatrical ingenuity serves a splendid cast headed by . . . Isabel Leonard and American tenor Lawrence Brownlee . . . Forget Disney, forget Rodgers and Hammerstein. In this sly new take on the familiar fairy tale, everything we see on stage is Cinderella’s fantasy. Abused by her venal stepfather and mean stepsisters, […]

‘Cold Mountain’ world premiere at Santa Fe Opera

05 Aug 2015 / in Reviews

“Isabel Leonard was a beautiful, believable Ada, the richness of her mezzo evoking Ada’s reserve and desire.” Heidi Waleson – The Wall Street Journal

‘L’heure espagnole’ with the San Francisco Symphony

08 Jun 2015 / in Reviews

“Dutoit is a proven master of the French repertoire, which he conducts with a wondrous combination of crisp precision and rhythmic freedom . . . He had a superb cast at his disposal as well, headed by mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard as a knowing, lustrously dark-toned Concepcion.” Joshua Kosman – SFGate

La Cenerentola / Washington National Opera

12 May 2015 / in Reviews

“Met with cheers and bravas, the mezzo easily won over the audience at her Washington National Opera debut Saturday night. With her rich, warm and expressive voice – not to mention commanding stage presence – Leonard charmed the prince, dazzled with her effortless singing, and was the icing on the cake for an enchanting evening […]

Isabel Leonard: Preludios

30 Apr 2015 / in Reviews

American mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard, who has made several memorable appearances recently with the Metropolitan Opera, is of Argentinian ancestry on one side of her family. That side shines in this Spanish song recital, which includes music from Catalonia, Castile, Andalusia and Cuba. The mournful and beautiful Mompou song that opens the disc could be considered […]