DONNA WOLVERTON , Artist Representative ● Beach Mill Road ● Great Falls, Virginia 22066
Tel: 703-757-9477 ● Cell: 703-477-9477 ● [email protected]● www.wolvertonartists.com
ANGELA MORTELLARO
Soprano
FROM THE PRESS
Adina,L’ELISIR D’AMORE, Dorset Opera Festival - UK, 2015
“Angela Mortellaro is a perfect Adina, flaunting her wealth, beauty and learning as she plays one man off against another.”
http://www.theftr.co.uk/dorset-opera-festival-2015-at-bryanston, July 2015
Jocelyn, THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE, The Minnesota Opera, 2015
“…Angela
Mortellaro brought a bright, pealing soprano to Raymond’s ill-fated wife, Jocelyn, though the nostalgic prettiness
of her music was pure sentimentality.”
Heidi Waleson Wall Street Journal, March 2015
“One example is a flashback to a summer when the young Raymond Shaw (the winning baritone Andrew Lovato) is bitten
by a snake near a country house on Long Island and tended to by the lovely Jocelyn Jordan (the sunny soprano Angela
Mortellaro)…”
Anthony Tommasini, The New York Times, March 2015
Gretel, HANSEL AND GRETEL, The Minnesota Opera, 2014
"Much of the opera is carried solely on the backs and voices of Hansel (mezzo-soprano Stephanie Lauricella) and Gretel
(soprano Angela Mortellaro). This pair is excellently cast, playing off each other with dynamic sibling chemistry; many
small touches from stage director and choreographer Doug Varone enhance the authentic and compelling delivery.
Mortellaro’s performance as Jean Acker in last season’s The Dream of Valentino was sweet but too brief, but this role
gives her far more stage time – and showcases far better her ringing voice and vibrant stage presence."
Basil Considine, TC Daily Planet, November 2014
"The singing, though, is first-rate. Stephanie Lauricella (Hansel) and Angela Mortellaro (Gretel) wisely — and
convincingly — play their roles more as young adolescents than as 10-year-olds. Both are fresh-voiced and superbly
musical, their voices nicely blended in duets."
Michael Anthony -Star Tribune, November 2014
Thaïs, THAÏS, Florida Grand Opera, 2014
“…Mortellaro brought delicacy and lovely tone to the scene of the heroine’s conversion. Her bright timbre blended
nicely with Kristopher Irmiter’s darker sound in the desert duet and she carried the lyrical line of the death scene
movingly….. Dramatically, she shone most impressively in the tragic final scenes, the contrast from her earlier gaiety
strongly projected.”
Lawrence Budman, South Florida Classical Review, May 5, 2014
“Mortellaro was a different matter entirely. From the moment we see her, she is young and full of life. Her act one finale
was bright, crisp and soaring. …The contrast between the perky and vibrate act one priestess and the almost morose act
two woman is sharply defined. Mortellaro makes that break with sharp precision. When the crown comes off, so does
the act…. With not a note to be sung Mortellaro sold the moment.”
Nate Sykes, The Shot Glass Review, May 6, 2014
Jean Acker, THE DREAM OF VALENTINO, Minnesota Opera 2014
“Valentino/Valenti's allure is never better demonstrated than when he literally dances off with the young actress Jean
Acker (a scene-stealing delivery by soprano Angela Mortellaro) and returns to announce that they are engaged.”
The Twin Cities Daily Planet, Basil Considine, March 5, 2014
Adele DIE FLEDERMAUS, Sarasota Opera 2013
“Adele, as usual, is the sparkplug and is portrayed with superb skill by Angela Mortellaro, who virtually stops the show
more than once with her dazzling vocal pyrotechnics.”
Richard Storm, Sarasota Opera, November 2013
Anna, NABUCCO, Opera Philadelphia 2013
“Shepherding the chorus of Hebrews was the authoritative and nuanced Zaccaria of Bass Morris Robinson. He was
joined by his sitster Anna, sung with clarion Strength by Angela Mortellaro.”
Steven Jude Tietjen, Opera Turgy, October 2013
DONNA WOLVERTON , Artist Representative ● Beach Mill Road ● Great Falls, Virginia 22066
Tel: 703-757-9477 ● Cell: 703-477-9477 ● [email protected]● www.wolvertonartists.com
ANGELA MORTELLARO
Soprano
FROM THE PRESS (Continued)
Lucia, LUCI DI LAMMERMOOR, Opera North 2013
“It has two star performances by Mortellaro and DongWon Kim as Enrico Ashton, who bring not only power and a purity
of line to vocally demanding roles but the kind of emotional conviction and truthfulness that sets the best opera singers
apart…. [Mortellaro] has a dramatic presence and a limber, seamless voice particularly well-suited to the kind of bel canto
singing this role requires… here given riveting life by the soprano Angela Mortellaro as Lucia.
Nicola Smith, Valley News, August 8, 2013
“Stellar,” “Heart-wrenching” …. Mortellaro, who had already performed the role for the Dayton Opera, delivered a
brilliant performance, especially for such a young singer. Although she could have afforded a bit more nuance, she sang
accurately and expressively with her supple voice, drawing the audience in with every phrase. Her “Mad Scene” was
riveting — and heart-wrenching.
Jim Lowe, Times Argus (Vermont News), August 9, 2013
Soloist, ANNELIESE, Key Chorale Sarasota, April 2013
(Anneliese is the story of Anne Frank for soprano, chorus and chamber orchestra by British Compser James Whitbourne)
“Mortellaro, who looks young and innocent enough to play the title role, has a voice filled with a youthful spirit and a
mournful tone when things are at their darkest.”
Arts Sarasota, James Handelman, April 2013
Galatea, ACIS AND GALATEA, Madison Opera 2013
“Angela Mortellaro produced a voice that sounds like it could take on the dimensions of Overture Hall. The rich, powerful
core of her instrument was well-controlled, sweet and sorrowful as needed.”
Greg Hettmansberger, Madison Magazine, 2013
Lucia, LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR, Dayton Opera, Fall 2012
“Better still was the Lucia of Angela Mortellaro, whose large, rich voice was a distinct contrast to the tweety-bird chirping
often heard in this role. Joshua Kohl's Edgardo added a handsome presence to the duo — a most attractive pair of
lovers….Mortellaro, vocally sound and solid, with velvet warmth and perfectly presented high notes, delivered a gripping
mad scene.
Charles Parsons, Opera News Oct 28, 2012
Sophie, WERTHER, Minnesota Opera 2012
“Just as Valenti has found international success after starting his career as a Minnesota Opera resident artist, so might
soprano Angela Mortellaro chart a similar path. She brings welcome lightness and physicality to the heroine's younger
sister, while Gabriel Preisser brings a rich voice and a conflicted characterization to Charlotte's husband.”
Rob Hubbard, Pioneer Press, January 29,
2012 “She's particularly affecting in the company of soprano Angela Mortellaro, a vivacious scene-stealer as Charlotte's
sister Sophie.”
Larry Fuchsberg, Star Tribune, January 30th 2012
Despina, COSI FAN TUTTE, Minnesota Opera 2011
“A bonus in the comedy department comes from Angela Mortellaro, who gives us a foxy — rather than the usual earthy
— version of Despina, the maid, displaying expert comic timing and a sweet soprano voice.”
Michael Anthony, MinnPost.com, Sept 27 2011
“Angela Mortellaro proves a scene stealer as the sisters' maid. Even if you've seen this Minnesota Opera resident artist
over the course of several productions, you might not recognize her, for she has a great character actor's gift for
disappearing into a role.”
Rob Hubbard, Pioneer Press, TwinCities.com, Sept 26, 2011
Annina, LA TRAVIATA, Minnesota Opera 2011
“Minor roles were strongly cast: Angela Mortellaro's Annina was especially affecting.”
Larry Fuchsberg, Opera News Online, 2011
DONNA WOLVERTON , Artist Representative ● Beach Mill Road ● Great Falls, Virginia 22066
Tel: 703-757-9477 ● Cell: 703-477-9477 ● [email protected]● www.wolvertonartists.com
ANGELA MORTELLARO
Soprano
FROM THE PRESS (Continued
Clorinda, LA CENERENTOLA, Minnesota Opera 2011
“Even more levity is provided through the delightfully spoiled stepsisters, Clorinda and Tisbe, played by Angela
Mortellaro and Victoria Vargas, respectfully. The sisters’ pampered idle is hilarious from the start, as the spoiled sisters
literally worm their way across the stage, too lazy to stand on their own.”
Twin Cities Performance Art Examiner, Brad Richason, November 2010
“The stepsisters, two roles so often over-done, were simply funny in this instance, and smartly sung by Angela Mortellaro
and Victoria Vargas.”
Michael Antony, Minneapolis Post Review, Nov 2010
Amore, ORFEO ED EURIDICE, Minnesota Opera 2010/St. Paul Chamber Orchestra
“Susanna Phillips and Angela Mortellaro, both skilled sopranos, embody the respective parts of Eurydice and Amore, god
of love. Mortellaro distinguishes herself with crystalline tones well suited for her angelic role.”
Brad Richason, Examiner.com Review, September 2010
Angela Mortellaro's Cupid-like Amore manages to be both sprightly and disquieting.
Larry Fuchsberg, Star Tribune, September 2010
Gretel, HANSEL AND GRETEL, PortOpera 2010
“Mortellaro was beautiful to watch on stage. She is a graceful young woman and a natural actor, commanding the
audience's attention without pulling us out of the scene.”
Emily Parkhurst, Classical Voice of New England, July 2010
“Soprano Angela Mortellaro, as Gretel, is generally as light and sweet as the gingerbread house, but can call upon
considerable vocal power when required.”
Christopher Hyde, Portland Press Herald, July 31st 2010
“Angela Mortellaro created a simply delicious and adorable Gretel, revealing a soprano of sweetness, but that could open
up thrillingly and dominate the ensembles with clarity and precision as well as beauty….Sung in English, the projected
titles proved unnecessary (and sometimes a distraction from the stage) as I do not believe I have ever heard an entire cast
deliver English in such crisp and immediately understandable English. Every word was clear and sure (this was a much
discussed intermission topic as I roamed the lobbies).
Paul Padillo, August 2010 Shark on Arts Blogspot
Soloist, MAHLER SYPHONY NO 4, Emmanual Church Boston, 2010
“Angela Mortellaro’s youthful soprano and polished technique in the fourth movement’s Das Himmlische Leben.was
perfect for the part; she realistically gave voice to a child’s vision of Christian heaven. She has mastered a difficult role,
for the naive Christianity in the text is betrayed by Mahler’s biography. In the year he wrote the movement, 1897, Mahler
was forced to convert to Roman Catholicism in order to obtain a position directing the Vienna Opera. For Mahler, the
stage direction that the childlike vision be given “absolutely without parody!” cannot be overestimated.”
Joseph Morgan, Boston Musical Intelligencer, April 2010
Gretel, HANSEL AND GRETEL, Sarasota Opera, 2010
“There's a charming camaraderie between Sarasota's Hansel and Gretel, Heather Johnson and Angela Mortellaro,
respectively, as they get shooed away from the house by their mother, Gertrud (Valerie Kopinski), and head into the
woods, where magic and trouble await.”
John Fleming, St. Petersburg Times, March 2010
“Angela Mortellaro was an exceptionally convincing Gretel, the petite soprano credible as a playful young girl, singing
with a rich, youthful soprano voice and strongly conveying Gretel’s terror at being lost in the woods.”
Lawrence A. Johnson, South Florida Classical Review March 2010
CHAUTAUQUA CONCERT, Summer 2009
“Angela Mortellaro has the telegenic looks currently sought in opera, as well as an appealing lyric-coloratura soprano that
carries at the top (she capped the Lucia Sextet with a secure hight D flat)…. her Rigoletto staccati were skillfully done.”
David Shengold, The Chautauquan Daily, July 2009
Anna, THE CONSUL, Chautauqua Opera, Summer 2009
“In 1950, of course, the predominant referent for the unreal (yet all too realistic) political repression The Consul depicts
was the Soviet bloc; yet similar abuses in Fascist countries are alluded to, with mentions of concentration amps in history
of one of Magda’s fellow applicants, Anna Gomez, seemingly a refugee unable to return to Franco’s murderous Spain.
(The distraught Anna gets a convincing, beautifully voiced performance from Angela Mortellaro.)”
David Shengold, The Chautauquan Daily,2009