It
was a distinguished performance by any
standard, including the Met's own.
Ms. Baird, a dramatic soprano with notable
credits in Europe, sang with gleaming,
resonant tone and was a very feminine
Isolde. Her voice's size is more than
adequate and, coupled with Ms. Baird's
interpretive and acting skills, made for a
compelling portrayal. She maintained
impressive control, for example, of the
dialogue in which she persuades Tristan to
join her in a suicide pact.
An attractive woman
with a strong and
bright voice, she was an
honorable Isolde. She had
secure top notes and a
gleaming middle range...
she sang with focus, energy
and stamina, and won an
enthusiastic ovation from
the audience.
Anthony
TommasiniI
New York Times
•Janice Baird as a radiantly secure Brünnhilde
International
Herald Tribune
•
"Janice Baird's
Brünnhilde had a Katherine Hepburn allure and lustrose tone"
