Santa Fe Opera / La Griselda
“Isabel Leonard, as the daughter Constanza, is as much a revelation as the music. A mezzo-soprano with flawless execution and a radiantly focused intonation, Leonard gives us the two highlights of the evening,both examples of singing nearing the unbelievable, the energetic “Agitata da due venti” (Blown by two winds), and the meltingly pathetic “Ombre vane” (Empty shadows).”
abqjournal.com, July 2011
“Genuine star quality is a rarity on the opera stage — or anywhere — but it’s abundantly clear that Isabel Leonard has it in spades. A charismatic Cherubino for Santa Fe two summers ago, the young mezzo-soprano dominated the production Thursday night as Costanza.”
Lawrence Johnson, The Classical Review, August 2011
“The wonderful, technically agile Isabel Leonard was touching as the sweet, young Costanza…”
Anthony Tommasini, The New York Times, Aug. 11, 2011
“Some fine singing arrived via Isabel Leonard…” She boasts a lovely voice that displayed admirable amplitude when she spun out the finely crafted lines of her aria “Ombre vane”…”
James Keller, The Santa Fe New Mexican, July 17, 2011
“Isabel Leonard sang Costanza’s big aria, “Agitata du due venti” with remarkable technical skill and excellent volume and control. She clearly distinguished herself musically from everyone around her….”
Outwestarts.com, July 17, 2011
“The evening’s other revelation was another young singer, Isabel Leonard. Her creamy and fluid mezzo-soprano and transfixing calm stopped the show in each of Costanza’s three arias, the opera’s greatest music.”
The Los Angeles Times, August 2011