Don’t miss your chance to see Isabel’s captivating portrayal of Rosina in Rossini’s  Remaining performances take place November 22, 26 & 29, and December 3 & 6. The November 22 performance will broadcast worldwide into cinemas, live in HD (check local listings).

“Led by a charismatic Isabel Leonard, Met’s “Barber” makes the cut . . . Leonard, reprising Rosina, whom she portrayed in the English-language holiday presentation a few seasons ago, has come into her own as a leading star of the Met’s stage (and many others, for that matter). The beauty of her voice is well-documented, and she proved it again in a lovely performance of the touchstone cavatina “Una voce poco fa,” fluttering beautifully down on the line “Si, Lindoro mio sarà,” blooming in her high voice and unrolling flowing coloratura.

Leonard is a captivating actress, bringing a natural, charming playfulness to the stage. Her voice, nimble and colorful, is wonderfully suited to this rep, but her artistry, makes you ache to hear her in something a little heavier.”

Eric C. Simpson – New York Classical Review

“ . . . few productions of Rossini’s comic gem are as much fun as the one now on the boards at the Metropolitan Opera, with a smashing Isabel Leonard as Rosina . . . Leonard is simply a joy to watch and hear. From her huge success as Cherubino in the new production of Mozart’s “Le Nozze di Figaro,” which opened the Met season, the hometown New York mezzo is a natural as Rosina. For one thing, she is a splendid actress, always engaged in a scene whether she is singing or listening to someone else sing, and full of small gestures or business that brings her character to life.

Fetching and winsome, Leonard’s Rosina also can be mischievous and headstrong, a woman who will get her way no matter what and whom one would not want to cross. She has a lovely and lilting coloratura voice that is as clear as crystal in the upper register, as she demonstrates in her opening cavatina “Un voce poco fa.” And her distinctive phrasing compliments the character she creates. The part of Rosina was originally written for a mezzo, though some of the great sopranos, notably Callas, commandeered the role. Leonard’s performance is pitch-perfect, both musically and theatrically, and justly reclaims it for the mezzo voice.”

Wilborn Hampton – The Huffington Post

“ . . . Mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard was a delightful Rosina . . . Some singers play Rosina a bit coy at the beginning of Act I, even though the character remarks, “sarò una vipera” (“I’ll be a viper”) if I am crossed. With Leonard, we know that Rosina’s fresh face certainly has fangs!”

Stephen Raskauskas – Bachtrack.com