Reviews
CS MUSIC ONLINE MAGAZINE
"The blend of chest and head voice in soprano Hope Briggs’ rendition of “Is there Anybody Here who Loves My Jesus,” emotionally captivated many in the audience who responded with visible gestures of utter delight. The spiritual was nothing less than spell bounding with her brilliantly delivered high B flat."
Q ONSTAGE, NEW YORK'S PERFORMANCE & ARTS REVIEWS
"A heart-stopping and beautiful “Guide My Feet” brought us the luminous voice and noble presence of soprano Hope Briggs."
BERKELEY TIMES
"...soprano, Hope Briggs began the 'Te Deum' and demonstrated why she is one of the great voices of our age and a local treasure."
NEVADA EVENTS, JACK NEAL’S THEATRE REVIEWS
“The acquisition of up-and-coming soprano Hope Briggs is an acquisition made in heaven. Briggs sings magnificiently and brings magnetism, majesty and considerable magic to Verdi’s Ethiopian princess…There’s not a moment when Briggs’ singing does not thrill. Her Act III aria, “O cieli azzurri” is regal in tone, passionate in demeanor, and a sensation of vocal agility. There’s no reason why Briggs should not become a major star on the international opera scene. She alone is worth a trip to Nevada Opera’s current encounter with Aida.”
RICHARD BAMMER, THE REPORTER
The single most impressive show of the year was Hope Briggs in concert, The next major lyric soprano to claim the lead in Verdi’s “Aida”…stunning exercise of often-shimmering, dramatic vocalism. Briggs evoked romantic, baroque and classical lyricism, performing “Hear ye, Israel: from Mendelssohn’s “Elijah”, “Come unto Him” from Handel’s “Messiah” and “Alleluia” from Mozart’s “Exsultate, jubilate. Briggs affectingly sang a series of spirituals…Briggs injects a light and floating quality. Briggs lent a thrust and warmth to “Doretta’s Song,” with its ethereally soft and sustained high notes, and added sudden bursts of smoky power that were nothing short of mind boggling and a true treat for the ears. To see and hear her sing “Doretta’s Song” is to realize and glimpse a deeply felt commitment to her art.”
SAN FRANCISCO CLASSICAL VOICE
“…transcendent singing that would have made any international opera house proud. Soprano Hope a youthful and consummate singer, easily bringing forth a beautiful and commanding sound...”Morro, ma prima ingrazia” was sung with great conviction and tragic feeling. Briggs also vocally set out her character’s many moods throughout the drama…a unique blend of musicianship and dramatic sense that characterize the best of opera.”
JOSHUA KOSMAN, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
“One singer who set her own course was soprano Hope Briggs, who gave a fine performance as Leonora. Her strategy was to deliver Verdi’s music in full diva fashion – her vocal tone at once stately and voluptuous, her carriage commanding…through the depth and beauty of her singing. The expansive phrases of the Act I aria “Tacea la notte placida” sounded shapely and ardent, and the Act 4 showpiece, “D’mor sull’ali rosee: found her at her finest.”
PAUL HERTELENDY, ARTSSF.COM
“Soprano Hope Briggs is nothing short of phenomenal. She has the gifts to achieve greatness. Indeed, the lirico-spinto vocal styling, stage presence and credible gestures – at once heroic yet vulnerable, assertive, yet yielding warmly to love. But the voice! The lovely timbre that fills the Hofmann Theatre, the crescendos, and the cabaletta that quicken any Verdian’s heart. There’s agility, there’s lucid enunciation of the Italian. And she hit the pitches spot on.”
JOSHUA KOSMAN, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
“…a singer unafraid to make a large, energetic statement, and able to back that up with commanding technique and smooth, eloquent phrasing. All that, and she holds the stage like a true diva. “Tacea la notte placida” from Verdi’s “Il Trovatore” was both voluptuous and pure-voiced. The opening phrases were shaped with eloquent directness. Briggs then brought the aria to ever-greater heights of intensity and emotional fluency.”
SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS
“The company came up with a terrific Donna Elvira in East Coast soprano Hope Briggs. Briggs’ strong personality dominates her scenes, blending ire and fire with the usual whimpering about being abandoned. Her tour-de-force aria of betrayal, “Mi tradi:, delivered in a ringing dramatic soprano voice with excellent control was a high point.”
JOSHUA KOSMAN, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
“Soprano Hope Briggs turned in a powerhouse performance marked by strong clean vocalism and emotional transparency. The role calls for both tonal strength and limpid clarity, and Briggs provided both...never more arrestingly than in her Act 3 aria, “ Morro, ma prima in grazia.”
