“Among the soloists, we are struck by RUTH STAFFA who was born in Wiesbaden and is part of the Mainz Opera Ensemble this season. Her betrayed Isolde, driven by indignation and humiliation, is a furious, rebellious terrorist craving retaliation. Her performance is one of unbelievable vocal intensity and brilliance.” WWW.RMT.DE
“RUTH STAFFA, new to the Mainz ensemble, delivers a spectacular evening. Her dramatic soprano remains constant throughout this difficult performance and is carried by attractive gleaming. Her „Liebestod“ is hard to be surpassed.” WWW.OPERNNETZ.DE
“RUTH STAFFA is an asset to the Mainz ensemble. Her strong vocal presence and passionate performance of Isolde corresponds in radiance with the excellent tenor Alexander Spemann as Tristan.” MAINZER RHEINZEITUNG
“RUTH STAFFA’s distinguished performance of Isolde in this scene is marked by an exquisite fusion of bombastic heights with a pleasant middle register. RUTH STAFFA is becoming a highly dramatic soprano who can easily master vocal parts, such as Brünnhilde, befitting her luminous and bell-like timbre. RUTH STAFFA excels in her performance of the Liebestod. Her voice sails with the orchestra in the most wondrous fashion. She sings these intoxicating melodies with virtual instrumental colour.” DER NEUE MERKER
“… Wagner's libretto also envisages two geographically and linguistically neighboring countries (Cornwall and Ireland), one in invading, the other being subjugated: and wearing a Muslim wedding dress in Mainz, the blonde and bright Isolde of RUTH STAFFA adds to the geopolitical tangle an Israelian touch, which increases the play between facial hyperrealism and background irreality… like a war movie … The cast, all of the elements of the stable theatre company, seems to be projecting towards a traditionally Bayreuthian Wagner, which is immune to lyrical temptations and oriented towards a declamatory emphasis … la STAFFA and la Roach have solidity of emission and interpretive sensitivity, so that even within this grid, their characters emerge with remarkable plastic relief: the one (RUTH STAFFA) very carnal in voice and figure, with a suitable vibrato and never invasive intensity that lets you guess in her also a good Verdiana; …”
www.drammaturgia.it, FIRENZE UNIVERSITY PRESS, 2013
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