Miss Ailyn Perez Conquers

Photo Credit: Mr. Ken Howard courtesy of the San Diego Opera.

COMMANDOpera has been strongly advising readers to keep a WATCHFUL eye on Miss Ailyn Pérez (above looking rather Angelina Jolie-esque), as the woman owns an EXTRAORDINARY vocal instrument. Miss Pérez is currently blowing the roof off the theatre at the San Diego Opera as Juliet (link here to listen to video’s of Miss Pérez as Juliet in San Diego). The pandemonium Miss Pérez is causing in San Diego is in clearly evidenced by these press reviews:

‘Saturday night’s audience will never forget the moment when American soprano Ailyn Pérez as Juliet sang her first notes at the birthday ball that opens the opera. To describe a voice so wonderfully individual is all-but-impossible, but here’s a try: strawberries and cream in a goblet of platinum and crystal. She acts with her voice and sings with her body, every moment the work of a young but already fully formed artist. She is, in short, a wonder, and whatever the company has to do to bring her back again and again will not be too much’. Marcus Overton, The San Diego Union-Tribune, March 15, 2010.

‘Juliet is sung by American soprano Ailyn Pérez, who, surprisingly for such a small woman, has a big, powerful, beautiful, lyrical and endlessly supple voice.  She is lovely to look at, a fine actress’. Candace Carroll, San Diego Network News, March 14, 2010.

‘When American soprano Ailyn Pérez as Juliet sang her famous arietta in Act One (“Ah! Je veux vivre dans le rêve”) she received a healthy and well-deserved round of appreciation from the crowd. Here was an a obviously gifted, good looking young woman with a lustrous timbre to her voice, warbling away as Gounod’s innocent heroines are wont to do before times get tough. . . . Pérez is perfect for this role. Some say it’s a role for two different voices: she has them both’. David Gregson, Opera West, March 14, 2010.

‘In particular, Pérez sings the emotional range, beginning with her coloratura “Je veux vivre” that is stunning. On the opposite end of the spectrum we are treated to the oft omitted aria, “Amour ranime mon courage” which she manages with a stunning punch’. Christie Grimstad, Concerto Net, March 2010.

COMMANDOpera gives ALL opera goers fair warning to make a point to attend ANY performance this artist is involved with. Miss Pérez is going to appear next as Amelia in Simon Boccanegra at top tier theatres: the Deutsche Staatsoper (Berlin) on March 27 and 30, then at Teatro alla Scala on April 16 and 29, both productions conducted by Daniel Barenboim. Future engagements include debuts at the Royal Opera, Covent Garden, the Vienna State Opera, Hamburg State Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Dallas Opera, and returns to Opera Company of Philadelphia, and San Diego Opera.  Miss Pérez will also make a solo recital recording and will appear in a joint concert with Mr. Stephen Costello at the Kennedy Center.