A “standout” turn as Dorabella in Così fan tutte at HGO

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Following a spectacular run as Marta in Weinberg’s The Passenger with Houston Grand Opera, Melody Moore returned to the company to sing Dorabella in Mozart’s sparkling comedy Così fan tutte, to rave reviews:

“A cast of six strong singers carried the HGO performance of Mozart’s Così Fan Tutte . . . At the heart of this comedy are the two sisters and their tested, wavering fidelity, and the performances given by sopranos Rachel Willis-Sørensen (Fiordiligi) and Melody Moore (Dorabella) featured the remarkable pairing of gorgeous and beautifully matched voices and convincingly distinguished stage personae. Willis-Sørensen’s soprano excels . . . and the brighter richness of Moore’s singing was its ideal counterpoint. Their sound also complemented their characters . . . Moore, as the weaker mark, brilliantly mugged stalwart “me-too!” agreements with her sister, wild histrionics in her Act I “Smanie implacabili,” and agonized vacillations in response to the disguised Guglielmo’s overtures.”
Gregory Barnett – Opera News

“The Dorabella, soprano Melody Moore, displayed vocal security throughout the range of a role usually assayed by mezzo-sopranos . . . Moore’s spirited delivery of Dorabella’s two arias and her flirtatious acting suggest that, as she moves further into the weightier roles in Wagner, Verdi and Puccini, she should not leave Mozart behind.”
Operawarhorses.com

“American soprano Melody Moore is a stunning Dorabella, with a strong and lilting voice that shines alone and blends beautifully, particularly in her duets with Fiordiligi.”
Theodore Bale – CultureMap Houston

“The cast is elegant, too. Vibrant and spry, with luxurious voices that wrap Mozart in velvet, they throw themselves into this divine, stylized comedy of manners. With her droll characterization, Ms. Moore is a particular standout as the first sister to succumb.”
D.L. Groover – HoustonPress Blogs

“As always, HGO has assembled an excellent cast for this ensemble-heavy opera. The women are especially strong. Rachel Willis-Sørensen and Melody Moore are an ideal pairing as Fiordiligi and Dorabella. Their voices blend wonderfully when singing together, and their telekinetically linked subtle shifts in tempo and dynamics during recitatives is uncanny. In solo passages, Willis-Sørensen’s light easy voice comes into wonderful contrast with Moore’s richer soprano.”Marcus Karl Maroney – ConcertoNet.com