Elisabeth in TANNHÄUSER

Opéra National de Bordeaux

“As Elisabeth, American soprano Heidi Melton, who is still almost totally unknown in Europe, is a revelation: she possesses a powerful voice from one end of the tessitura to the other and holds her own when she faces off all the men in the Act II finale. There is no tension or pushing in her singing, which is enhanced by the sheer size of her instrument and the roundness of her tone. She lets it flow as easily in a whisper - like her prayer, which was palpable and perfect - as in a more brilliant moment - as in a luminous ‘Dich teure Halle’ which was exciting from the first note.”
-Christophe Rizoud, Forum Opéra

"This young soprano offers a voice spectacular in volume, quality and projection - a major discovery. Heidi Melton made a wonderful Elizabeth. She was very good in “Teure Halle,” full of power and conviction in the concertante of act II, and excellent in the final Prayer."
-Jose Maria Irurzun, Seen and Heard International

"Heidi Melton is a very dramatic young soprano, calibrated for the heaviest roles in the repertoire. A very homogeneous voice, really powerful, expressive too. A beautiful olive color, great ductility for this huge format. An ideal Strauss Ariadne, for example. And, judging by Elizabeth's entry aria, heard on stage this year, a great Elisabeth. It is a great voice - ample and present."
-David Le Marrec, Opéra Critiques