Carmen – Royal Northern College of Music – Review
Role of Carmen in Bizet’s Carmen RNCM December 2010
“The mezzo-soprano Kathryn Rudge is already building a shining career. Her rich and flexible tone, clear diction and magnetic stage presence are ideal equipment. The elegance of her singing avoided any vulgar excesses such as this role easily attracts, yet she brought sultry passion and intensity to the Habanera and to the Card Song. If this Carmen guessed her fate, she kept it to herself. Every Carmen I have heard has found her own way into the character and Rudge is too fine and intelligent a singer not to develop the role at each encounter.”
Opera Magazine – Michael Kennedy, Feb 2011
“One of the college’s best opera performances in years.”
Musical Opinion – John Byrne
“Kathryn Rudge as Carmen was the temptress to silence all temptresses. Her voice; fluid rich and wonderfully coloured is reminiscent of a young Victoria de los Angeles with an intuitive acting style and sheer musicianship to boot.”
Musical Opinion – John Byrne
“The real star of any performance of Bizet’s opera is the singer of the eponymous role …by the Seguedille Miss Rudge was well into the role with both her singing and acting being first rate….and in Act Four,her singing was exemplary in colour tone and expression in conveying the fraught drama of Carmen’s nature and situation.”
Seen and Heard Opera Review – Robert J Farr