"One could not imagine a finer exponent for these songs than soprano Elizabeth Blancke-Biggs, an artist who may be on the verge of a spectacular breakthrough. Her impressive voice has graced many of the world's major opera houses in such roles as Tosca, Minnie, Abigaille, and Maria Stuarda, and recent performances as Salome suggest thrilling new possibilities. Her sound recalls the great Martina Arroyo, a Metropolitan Opera mainstay who excelled in the operas of Verdi and was honored with three different opening nights in the house. Blancke-Biggs possesses a voice of similar size and opulence, but she sings with more fluid flexibility than her illustrious predecessor. She even manages the most delicate passages of these songs with the grace and ease of a Mozartian or bel canto specialist, and the soprano is one of those rare singers whose voice retains a full patina of colors at the softest dynamics. The chief glory of her singing, however, comes when she unleashes her magnificent instrument in the soaring climaxes that are a hallmark of Donaudy's writing. Pianist Michael Recchiuti is a faultless partner, serving up some of this disk's most thrilling moments with his impassioned playing and giving the soprano the kind of framework and foundation that allows her to sing fearlessly.
-Gregory Berg, Journal of Singing.
January 1, 2014
"'Vaghissima sembianza' is a treasure-trove of Italian songs in the classical style by the barely known composer, Stefano Donaudy.
"A program, artistically assembled with rare distinction, displaying the firm and attractive vocalism of Elizabeth Blancke-Biggs, and the dynamic support of Michael Recchiuti's musicianly accompaniments.
"As a long-awaited opportunity to appreciate the sensitive personality of the composer, it is an altogether insightful experience."
-- Anton Coppola - August, 2013, N.Y.C.
"p.s. Elizabeth, I'm sure, sings Richard Strauss' songs with equal aplomb. I would like to hear her sing: Joseph Canteloube's 'Songs of the Auvergne'".
Follow Elizabeth on Facebook.
