Nabucco, Teatro Petruzzelli Bari, October 2021

 

“... Maria José Siri was in great vocal shape and not only.” 
 La Repubblica 

“Renato Palumbo’s conducting and Maria José Siri’s interpretation were particularly appreciated.” 
“Maria José Siri as Abigaille, a role requiring great vocal skills, was intense.” 
ANSA

“The revelation of the evening was Maria José Siri, who, however, was not approaching the early Verdi grueling dramatic coloratura roles for the first time. Siri presents herself with a voice of great substance and remarkable volume, albeit maintaining her lyric soprano nature, (…). The terrible two-octaves leap on the word “sdegno” at the conclusion of the recitative “Ben io t’invenni” was impressive. Siri’s Abigaille appears, as indicated in the Verdi dramaturgy, humane and more lyric in the trio with Ismaele and Fenena “Io t’amava”, while she reveals her tenacious and pugnacious nature already from the following ensemble closing the first act. Abigaille’s part is peppered with difficulties, which the Uruguayan soprano however flawlessly faces. The very challenging cabaletta “Salgo già del trono aurato” was sung with secure technique, the agility and the trills were very correctly performed and the high C concluding the cabaletta was powerful, projected and ringing. Her phrasing was first-class and the verses “Salgo già del trono aurato” in the daccapo of the cabaletta were sung softly, variating in comparison with its first exposition, because her Abigaille was totally absorbed in her dreams of revenge and power. At the end of the opera, the audience feels sorry for her Abigaille who asks Fenena forgiveness for all the evil she caused her. Siri once again was able to flaunt magnificent filati and mezza-voce singing.” 
Opera Libera 

“Maria José Siri took on the impervious role of Abigaille, one of the most difficult parts ever written for a soprano, which she debuted last year in Florence and which in a few days she will bring to the Vienna State Opera. She gave an outstanding performance, thanks to her clean voice, gifted with a beautiful color, powerful but also capable of astonishing pianissimos and with an easy high register. The scene opening the second act with the cabaletta’s variated daccapo was amazing. Also from an interpretative point of view, the Uruguayan soprano perfectly identified with her character with a highly expressive gesturing.” 
OperaClick 

“Abigaille’s inner torment was skillfully portrayed by soprano Maria José Siri, who returned to Bari after the single performance of “Adriana Lecouvreur” that preceded the first lockdown. The famous singer believably interpreted the female protagonist of the opera, highlighting her scowling cynicism with sumptuous vocal ascents to the top, well differentiated by the soft lyricism with which, particularly in the initial trio and in the last act, she displayed the broken heart of a woman deeply frustrated in her desire for love and her social ambition.” 
Il tacco d’Italia