Venera Gimadieva has received outstanding reviews for her “thrilling” and “extraordinarily powerful” debut at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, as Violetta in Verdi’s La traviata. Read the reviews below:
“Even an earthquake could not have dislodged the extraordinarily powerful Venera Gimadieva from her richly toned sonorities, expressive penetration and superb stagecraft.
…the heart of this solid, enjoyable show remains the thrilling Venera Gimadieva.”
Times
“Her vibrato and coloratura are excellent, and her voice constantly carries an air of lightness about it. She very much looks the part, and has a natural presence meaning that she never has to indulge in histrionics in order to portray the social butterfly. She conveys all of the requisite emotions sensitively and effectively.”
Music OMH
“Violetta, and I’ve been busting to tell you this, is the glorious Russian soprano Venera Gimadieva who sang the same role with such radiance at Glyndebourne a year or two back. Here on her Royal Opera debut she surpasses even that achievement with a voice that blends Rossinian warmth and late-Verdian power, rock-solid technique and perfect intonation, together with a riveting stage presence. Gimadieva is the most moving Violetta I can recall: she inhabits the heroine’s story arc with total commitment from her first-act set piece “È strano! È strano!” to her devastating death scene.”
What’s On Stage
“Anyone who had seen the Russian soprano Venera Gimadieva in the role of Violetta at Glyndebourne a couple of years ago will have known they were in for a treat. Her good looks, great acting and magnificently full voice make her perfect for the role and this time she was even better than ever.”
Daily Express
“…cut glass coloratura and superb intonation in ‘Sempre libera’ and wonderful ease at the top. However, Gimadieva also has the lyric soprano qualities to tackle Act II… There was initial vehemence in her response to Salsi’s bullish Germont, but she collapsed to deliver a moving ‘Dite alle giovine’ from the floor. In the final act, ‘Addio del passato’ was hauntingly fragile.”
Bachtrack
Venera sings the role in London until 6 February. Find out more about the productions and buy tickets on the Royal Opera House website.
