HOT OFF THE PRESS!
July/ August 2025 – BUFFALO SPREE: Best of Western New York – Contributors’ Choice
June 20, 2025 – BUFFALO SPREE: “Grit and Silk: the Voices of the Gayageum and Debussy” by Jan Jezioro
“Sotto Voce, Buffalo’s newest opera group, has quickly earned a reputation for pushing the envelope. This summer, a collaborative two-night series with Studio frische Klänge, a visiting ensemble from Korea under Artistic Director Su Lee, offers two unique concert experiences.”
March 29, 2025 – BUFFALO RISING: “Bel Canto Opera Brilliance: Sotto Voce’s Lucia di Lammermoor Soars” by Peter Hall
“What voices! Bel canto promises us soaring, lyrical lines that convey deep emotion, all while we witness exceptional skill with intricate melodies and elaborate embellishments. It’s not just deep emotion and it’s not just technical dazzle. It’s both at the same time, which is a high-wire act. And boy did these people deliver.”
March 16, 2025 – BUFFALO SPREE: “Walter Scott Meets Lucia” by Jan Jezioro
February 27, 2025 – AMHERST BEE: “The show must go on” by Kathy Pease
“The skill and dedication of all the musicians was impressive. They gave a tremendous performance.”
February 6, 2025 – AMHERST BEE: “ASO and Sotto Voce to deliver an operatic performance” by Michael Polce
October 2024 – BUFFALO SPREE: “Keeping Opera Relevant” by Jan Jezioro
“Launched earlier this year, the innovative Sotto Voce Vocal Collective boldly and effectively updated its beautifully sung production of Suor Angelica last June by including recorded excerpts of testimonials of survivors at appropriate places.”
July 5th, 2024 – NPR’s Theatre Talk: Peter Hall noted that Sotto Voce’s production of Suor Angelica featured “gorgeous singing,” and he and co-host Anthony Chase drove home the point that, when opera comes to Buffalo audiences need to “leap on these opportunities” to catch fabulous productions like ours. You can listen to the segment here: https://www.wbfo.org/podcast/theater-talk
FROM OUR AUDIENCES
LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR
(audience member, right)
“It was exhilarating. People were calling out and howling after almost every piece that was sung. At an OPERA! I’ve never seen anything like it other than at a rock concert. There were parts of it I never wanted to end. It was fresh and modern and sexy and exciting. ROCK ON!”
-Shaun Doyle-
“What an absolutely stunning evening of opera! Congrats to the cast of Sotto Voce’s Lucia di Lammermoor! Truly some of the best voices in our little city of Buffalo. The production was magnetizing!” -Christina Rose Santa Maria-
“…an excellent cast of singers. I also want to commend Stage Director Alex Huddleston on doing more with less in terms of the staging… The concept of bringing the character of Sir Walter in was brilliant, and the little ‘breaking the [third] wall’ scena in place of the first scene of Act III was a wonderful comic relief. I found the immortal sextet to live up to its reputation in your collaboration; the blend and intonation made it very beautiful. Jessie Downs’s rendition of the Mad Scene seemed to me to rival any that I’ve seen on YouTube. The high Eb exuded confidence (I know this is what all so-called opera buffs lie in wait for). More importantly, Jessie, the pianist, and the conductor are to be praised for the artless manner in which they achieved the precision during the glass harmonica duet. Onward and upward.” – Bruce Pfeffer-
SUOR ANGELICA
“Suor Angelica was wonderful! What an amazing array of talent and polish in the cast! And connecting the opera’s story with the stories of modern teenagers in similar situations was powerful. I haven’t been so moved by anything in a long time.” -Fran Manly-
“Sotto Voce’s production of Suor Angelica was very elegant! St. Joseph University Parish’s performance space worked perfectly for this show.” -Gerry Evans-
THE MAGIC FLUTE
“The Magic Flute is a work of daunting challenges, and Jessie Downs’ impeccable legato led the way to a world-class experience for those of us who live for such things. I had to pinch myself several times on Sunday afternoon, at the sheer bounty of this incredible cast, one exemplary singer after another, as they made their way through the deeply soulful arias and what many consider to be the most unspeakably beautiful ensemble singing in the entire operatic repertoire. This was truly a happening, and not to be missed, because the filmed scenes placed between live acted scenes were beautifully crafted as well, making this a truly original and one of a kind production. Particularly impressive was the filmed overture, masterfully played on piano and flute. How lucky we are to have musicians and artists of this caliber in our midst! Film edits and rhythmic cutting matching the energy and rhythm of the music created an enchanted, surrealistic quality by superimposing multiple images of hands at the piano keys. All of the filmed segments were beautifully done and added dimension and relief to the production. Bravo to this entire company!” – Elise Alaimo
“What an ambitious and successful undertaking! The collaboration between Jessie Downs and Alex Huddleston is phenomenal. Their individual talents are multiplied exponentially by the good fortune of them being together! A love story worthy of an opera, but a happy one!” – Eileen Katz
“Such talented singers, musicians and producers!! Great use of the space and very engaging. It was fun, fresh and enjoyable.” – Diana Weeks Riddle
“It was amazing! The music was outstanding. The films were so creative. I really enjoyed the evening.” – Jennifer Ray Yap
“Fantastic show! Can’t wait until the next one” – Charles Battaglia
“You will love every minute of it!” – Paula Ifft McGirr
“Great performance. So much talent!”- Shari Putnam
“What a joy to watch all [the artists] perform so creatively (and apparently flawlessly!)” – Juli Van Woert
“Kudos on a wonderful performance! The voices were in top notch form.” – Sandy Bissontz
“The VOICES. Excellent!” – Anonymous
“I have been to 75+ MET opera simulcasts and thought these singers were great!” – Anonymous
“Brilliant singing! Masterful integration of filmed and live performance. Transporting!” – Todd Mitchell
“I enjoyed the multi-media, location, and performances. Keep doing more of this!” – Austin Morgan
“Sometimes rookies of opera think it is always so serious, but this was not. I thoroughly enjoyed the production. Bravo!” – Kathy Ryan
Sotto Voce 