“Pérez was constantly shaping phrases and shading her sound, using small bits of rubato and modulations of dynamics for added expression. There was a touch of dialogue in her articulation, which added to the sense of drama she projected, as in the high-flying passage in “Ecoutez! Ecoutez!” … this was mellifluous and shining, bright vocalism. The vocal contrast between Shin and Pérez in “De grâce, demeurez,” serendipitously reflected the social gap the two characters had to bridge.”
George Grella – New York Classical Review
“… her coloratura was fresh in her celebrated valse-ariette “Je veux vivre” and the maturity of voice and expression patent in the disarray of feeling as she first hesitates and then unflinchingly drinks the ‘sleeping’ potion.”
Hilary Stroh – Bachtrack
“As Juliette, soprano Ailyn Pérez once again enchants. Her “Je veux vivre” (I want to live) was beautifully sung and perfectly conveyed the intoxicating rapture of youth by a teenager at a ball in her parents’ house.
This has been a banner year for Pérez, the third starring role at the Met this season. She impressed in all three. In “Thais,” she was a courtesan who finds religion, and in “The Marriage of Figaro,” she played a countess with a philandering husband. Here as a lovelorn and tragic teenager in the last, she, in addition to her singing, she is also believable.”
Barry Bassis – The Epoch Times
“This gifted artist has had a busy Met season so far, appearing in the title role of Massenet’s “Thaïs” and as the Countess in Mozart’s “Le Nozze di Figaro.” With her vibrant stage presence and fresh loveliness, she is a natural for Juliette … with bright, youthful sound, capped by radiant high notes.”
Anthony Tommasini – The New York Times
Image: Ken Howard / The Metropolitan Opera