La Donna del Lago, Royal Opera House

“As for DiDonato, words fail. No other singer could match what this blonde bombshell from Kansas does, marrying coloratura with the serene liquidity of birdsong to an expressiveness of heart-stopping beauty. Go, listen, and marvel.” ~ Michael Church The Independent May 2013 Read more …

Maria Stuarda, Metropolitan Opera

“The production stars the great American mezzo-soprano JoyceDiDonato in the title role, a part that has been sung by sopranos and mezzo-sopranos. Ms. DiDonato’s performance will be pointed to as a model of singing in which all components of the art form — technique, sound, color, nuance, diction — come together in service to expression and eloquence. Read more …

I Capuleti e i Montecchi, San Francisco Opera

“DiDonato, a Merola Opera program alum, is a true Golden Age singer with a sizable voice whose wide range extends from grave lows to thrilling highs. She also has an oft-astounding gift for coloratura ornamentation, fierce intelligence, and deep emotional commitment to her music.

[...] DiDonato was magnificent. Her final death scene was so riveting that it even silenced the coughs of virtually all of the persistent, fall cold-plagued audience members. Read more …

Maria Stuarda, Houston Grand Opera

“Houston Grand Opera waited 57 years to stage its first ‘Mary Stuart.’ But it was well worth the wait for the sumptuous rendition of Gaetano Donizetti’s bel canto feast holding court at Wortham Theater Center, with superstar mezzo Joyce DiDonato riveting in her role debut as the doomed Mary, Queen of Scots.

The Enchanted Island, Metropolitan Opera

“The mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato was Sycorax, costumed at first (by Kevin Pollard) in a ragtag robe, her head all unkempt braids, giving her a slightly Rastafarian look. She commanded the stage from her first showcase scene, when she plotted her revenge on Prospero in “Maybe soon, maybe now” (music from Handel’s “Teseo”), singing with cool control, then bursting into fearless flights of passagework.” ~ Anthony Tomassini The New York Times January 2011 Read more …

La Donna del Lago, Teatro alla Scala

“Per ultimo abbiamo tenuto l’oggetto dei comuni desideri maschili, Elena ovvero la dama del lago, la soave Joyce DiDonato, anch’essa trionfatrice della serata dopo il rondò finale, fraseggiato con musicalità, stile e passione.” ~ Giovanni Gavazzeni Il Giornale October 2012

Der Rosenkavalier, Teatro alla Scala

“Domina le protagonista Joyce DiDonato, splendida voce splendidamente emessa, con fraseggio dagli infiniti chiaroscuri.”

~ Elvio Giudici La Nazione October 2011

Cendrillon, The Royal Opera House

“It’s the singers who matter, however, and nobody will be disappointed in Joyce DiDonato, singing the title-role with all the gleaming tone, pellucid projection and smiling warmth for which she is justly celebrated.”

~ Rupert Christiansen The Telegraph July 2011