This week, three Rayfield Allied artists perform in Opera Colorado's production of Verdi's Falstaff.
Ari Pelto, music director of Opera Colorado, is widely known for performances that have been called poetic, earthy, vigorous and highly individual. This season at Colorado he has also lead productions of La Boheme, Otello and the world premiere of Gerald Cohen’s new opera, Steal a Pencil for Me.
Olafur Sigurdarson, makes his third US appearance of 2018. Following his US debut in the role of Falstaff at Opera Omaha in January and his appearance at Minnesota Opera in the title role of Rigoletto, Sigurdarson has received outstanding reviews as he continues to captivate the American opera world.
Rigoletto, Minnesota Opera
For raw power, no voice on stage can match that of baritone Olafur Sigurdarson, who fills the hall with his anguished arias but also provides this production’s most moving moments in tandem with Munger on three beautiful duets. When he has shadowy exchanges with a hired assassin, there’s some marvelous low-range menace afoot.
Twin Cities Pioneer Press, Ron Hubbard, 18 March 2018
The Icelandic baritone Olafur Sigurdarson brought an oak-like steadiness of voice and considerable nobility of demeanor to his depiction of Rigoletto…
Minnesota Star Tribune, Terry Blain, 18 March 2018
Olafur Sigurdarson, making his Minnesota Opera debut, is glorious as Rigoletto. His full baritone fills the house at the Ordway with smooth, aching tones in his solos, and he harmonizes beautifully in the opera's duets, trios and quartets. Not only is his voice perfectly attuned to the role, but he imbues Rigoletto's character with the emotions of a man haunted, first by his disability, and then, belatedly, by the tragic consequence of his own behavior.
Talkin' Broadway, Arthur Dorman, 22 March 2018
Falstaff, Opera Omaha
Icelandic baritone Olafur Sigurdarson made a splendid U.S. debut as Falstaff himself. In addition to a fine voice, he was tremendously effective swinging back and forth from vanity to self-pity, and from revelation to debauchery.
Omaha World-Herald, Drew Neneman, 10 February 2018
Following a busy season at Inland Northwest Opera, The Phoenix Symphony, Austin Lyric Opera, Florentine Opera Company and the Metropolitan Opera, Mezzo-soprano Sandra Piques Eddy, returns to Opera Colorado to sing the role of Meg Page.