In her first time on stage at Washington DC’s Kennedy Center, soprano Ailyn Pérez earned ample praise for her “rounded soprano, light yet full, even displaying a touch of the limpid quality characteristic of old-school singers” (Washington Post). Pérez tackled the role of Adina in Donizetti’s comedic masterpiece L’elisir d’amore for her debut performance with Washington National Opera.
The Sun heralded the performance:
“Pérez likewise left an indelible mark on the production, in her case starting early in the opera with ‘Della crudele Isotta,’ Adina’s retelling of the Tristan and Isolde legend that will end up giving Nemorino the idea of seeking a love potion. The soprano delivered the aria with extraordinary sensitivity to text and contour of melodic line, not to mention a velvety tone, making it an unusually visceral, absorbing moment.
When it came to the duet for Adina and the elixir-dispensing Dulcamara sung as entertainment during the Act 2 almost-wedding party scene in Act 2, Pérez did not settle for just a cute vocal ride. The way she let you feel Adina’s inner conflict, as the silly music reached the line about wanting to marry someone else, turned the scene into something real and vital to the whole opera.”