Those who can't make it to Paris to catch
Allyson in her acclaimed role as Arcabonne in Amadis de Gaule's
have a chance to hear it on Saturday, January 21st starting
at 7:30pm (local time in Paris) on the France
Musique website.
Check out this video
clip from France TV about the production currently
running at the Opéra Comique. The first reviews are
in:
"Also reason to celebrate, Allyson McHardy,
who doubles as the wicked fairy Morgane, an impressive force
in both sadness and in anger..." (La Croix, 2 January
2012)
"Allyson McHardy's fiery Arcabonne delivers
the goods." (Financial Times, 5 January 2012)
"It is certainly a coup for mezzo Allyson
McHardy who takes the honour among the cast members - generous,
raging, tormented, regal as the Queen of the Underworld captive
of her own passion." (Webthéa, 4 January 2012)
"‘Vocally young, the cast is dominated
by the attractive mezzo Allyson McHardy…. " (Le Monde,
6 January 2012)
"Bravo certainly to Allyson McHardy,
imperious Arcabonne, she carries the intrigue and the opera."
(Concert Classic, 3 January 2012)
"The women are definitely at a higher
level: ……and especially Allyson McHardy as the evil Arcabonne.
" (L'Oeil et l'Oreille, 2 January 2012)
"Enchanted, the public at the first performances
in Versailles gave an extremely enthusiastic, almost triumphal,
response to the women soloists, Hélène Guilmette and Allyson
McHardy..." (Le Nouvel Observateur, 1 January 2012)
December
2011
A magnificent debut as Arcabonne in
JC Bach's rarely staged opera Amadis de Gaule at the Château
de Versailles
"…the excellent Allyson McHardy in the role
of Arcabonne. From the liveliest fury to the very intense
sentiments of love, Allyson McHardy perfectly incarnates this
ambiguous character…she reveals with great accuracy the complexity
of a character that the music of Johann Christian Bach has
perfectly designed." (ConcertoNet, 12 December 2011)
"One also finds the essential quality of the
opera in the very beautiful voice of Allyson Mcardy, who perfectly
incarnates the role of the enchantress drunk with anger and
demanding vengeance. The warmth of her timbre is magnificent.
It vibrates and we want more." (La Tribune, 11 December 2011)
