Isabel Leonard / Critiques

Isabel Leonard is probably the best Cherubino in the business, hands down... Her Cherubino is far from an innocent however, exuding sex at every turn, even with a suggestive and sly smile when she states at the end of her aria “Non so piu cosa son, cosa faccio” that “parlo d’amor con me” and then finding moments to just flirt and misbehave with every single woman onstage... Leonard’s interpretation of the character in this production has remained consistent throughout the years, but the shape of her Cherubino is far clearer in its execution. She is an all-encompassing artist that doesn’t need to revert to massive gestures to be truly masterful and this Cherubino is perhaps the greatest example of said genius.

Isabel Leonard's is a world-beating Elvira, her cherry ripe mezzo and supple phrasing perfect for a moving “Mi tradì quell'alma ingrata”, sung as she uncovers a bedsheet to reveal the Don curled up with her maid. Her resigned look at yet another betrayal will haunt me for days.