Manon Lescaut, Sao Paulo, September 2015
“Manon Lescaut has been interpreted in our Theatro Municipal by Claudia Muzio and Beniamino Gigli, conducted by Tullio Serafin (September 1928), among other big names of opera, and in this production found a charming performer: Maria José Siri, a lirico-spinto soprano of beautiful and velvety timbre whose vocal-dramatic interpretation is supported by excellent technique: elegant phrasing with well-prepared pianissimos and coherence in both the dramatic and the musical lines of her performance. She gave excellent interpretations of her arias, ’In quelle trine morbide’ and ‘Sola ... perduta ... abbandonata …’ and in return received the biggest applause from the audience at the end of the performacne.”
Marco Antônio Seta, Ópera & Ballet
“The Manon of the Uruguayan soprano María José Siri is refined, full of colors, but able also to explode along with the erratic passion of Des Grieux, sung by Italian tenor Marcello Giordani.”
Sidney Molina, Folha de São Paulo
“Maria José Siri showed her vocal quality once again on the stage of the Theatro Municipal. Whether as Aida or as Manon Lescaut her spinto soprano voice is warm and dark in timbre, with the power and projection to fill a large hall. Her Manon is intense, passionate, and totally convincing.”
Ali Hassan Ayache, Ópera & Ballet
“This is a production marked by two indisputable geniuses of music and theater: the maestro John Neschling and Uruguayan soprano Maria José Siri. The professionalism of the two impresses indelibly and absolutely.
“As for Maria José Siri, this girl's bright eyes and the strength of her personality: whoever saw her as Aida in 2013 was nearly killed by the [two-year] absence of her firm, velvety voice, a perfect instrument.”
Nunzio Briguglio Filho, Blog do Italianpine
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