Arianna was played by mezzo-soprano Sterre Decru, who put in a dramatically impressive performance in which her acting and singing were sensitive to the textual and musical nuances. She molded her voice convincingly to highlight Arianna’s changing emotional state through the use of strong dynamic contrasts, well-placed accents, and impressive coloring with a pleasing chiaroscuro effect.
-OperaWire
PRESS
The luxury of pianist Peter Nilsson, who on the fortepiano provided a warm and yet pointed accompaniment to mezzo-soprano Sterre Decru in the cantata 'Arianna a Naxos', laid a stylish foundation on which the generous and warm voice of the singer and her great musicality could flourish. Deep despair and loneliness, beautifully expressed in a stylish, simple staging, by a great talent.
-Place de l'Opéra
MASTERCLASS WITH JOYCE DIDONATO
DiDonato coached three singers this morning, and she did it in an incomparable way. She was full of admiration for Sterre Decru, who sang Ottavia's major scene from Monteverdi's Poppea.
-Trouw
And then it happens. DiDonato says to Decru, "You are becoming a woman before our eyes, you don't remain the character you are singing. Amazing!"
-Het Parool
YOUNG ARTIST IN RESIDENCE 2023
Intra Muros Festival
B. MARCELLO: ARIANNA ABBANDONATA with CONCERTO KÖLN
ITALIAN PROGRAMME with BART NAESSENS, THOMAS LANGLOIS and LIDEWIJ VAN DER VOORT
