Reviews
Read what the critics have to say about Suzanne’s Singing
CEDAR RAPIDS OPERA THEATRE: PAGLIACCI
Suzanne Vinnik is ravishing as his unfaithful wife [Nedda], her fiery soprano every inch his artistic match.
LOFTOPERA: VERDI SUMMER SERIES
Suzanne Vinnik, a stylish lyric soprano wearing a long ruffled black dress, sang Violetta in Act II of "La Traviata," her voice notable for its dramatic nuance. The highlight of the evening was Scene I from Act IV of "Il Trovatore," where Leonora pleads with Count di Luna to save the troubadour Manrico. Mr. Jeremiah and Ms. Vinnik stood on elevated platforms placed on opposite sides of the space, the intensity of their performance attracting loud cheers from the rapt audience seated on white benches.
- Vivien Schweitzer of The New York Times
Suzanne Vinnik...offered a first-rate performance...
Vinnik and Jeremiah returned in a passionate, compelling performance of the duet from Act IV of Il Trovatore, in which Leonora offers herself in marriage to Count di Luna in exchange for sparing the life and freedom of Manrico. Vinnik won the empathy of the audience with her depiction of a woman making an extreme sacrifice for her true love.
She is a pretty young woman with a pretty voice...we could bask in an attractive lyric soprano that retained its color and was never shrill for her outcries or her sorrows. (I thought of Moffo.)
Her Leonora, too, expressed her desperation without losing quality. The ornamental conclusion of the Trovatore duet gave neither singer any trouble.
SAN ANTONIO: Ricky Ian Gordon’s ORPHEUS & EURIDICE
Suzanne Vinnik sang Gordon’s text with strength and beauty as Euridice, the singer showing no ill effects despite suffering from strep throat Saturday. Vinnik was especially moving in Gordon’s song with its main lyrics, “I am part of something now.”
ROGUE VALLEY SYMPHONY: MAHLER’S SYMPHONY No. 4
She showed an impressive palette of emotional colors throughout the movement, evoking an almost child-like euphoria... her performance was the emotional high point of the concert. Vinnik's singing was light and lovely and presented with impeccable phrasing.The whole thing ended, perhaps like a German fairy tale, mysteriously, with a hint of something perhaps left hanging in the air.
Bill Varble of Mail Tribune
LAS VEGAS PHILHARMONIC: OPENING NIGHT GALA
[Act 1 aria and duet from La Boheme]"Vinnik, however, has vocal power to spare as well as dramatic flair. This is a glorious voice."
[Act 1 Scena from La Traviata] Vinnik projected darkness, even sadness in the former but shifted gears effortlessly to change her mind and find herself seeking mirth and pleasure in the latter. This is a technical land mine that she navigated with confidence and complete command.
Vinnik demonstrated superb control, balance, and variation in vocal color as she ended her share of the evening with “Dove sono” from “Figaro.” Applause was extended and well-deserved.
FLORIDA GRAND OPERA: LA TRAVIATA
Vinnik possesses a lighter, brighter voice that highlights the naiveté and romantic nature of Violetta. Both Alejandres and Vinnik performed this aria admirably, but their performances were very different. Vinnik’s lighter voice skimmed over the coloratura passages effortlessly and, even though her voice is lighter that Alejandres’, she still managed to equal her, if not surpass her in the dramatic intensity of this act closing aria.
MARCELLO GIORDANI FOUNDATION CONCERT
Soprano Suzanne Vinnik has a sizable enough voice and spirit to convey Nedda's wish for freedom in "Stridono lassu" from Leoncavallo's I Pagliacci.
[Juan Jose De Leon] closed the program with Ms. Vinnik... It was easy to see how the pair won the Marcello Giordani Foundation Competition.
Meche Kroop of Voce di Meche
THE AMERICAN PRIZE
The voice is very reminiscent of the young Leontyne Price, especially in Un bel di. [She has] a beautiful legato line and with spinning vocal production. Excellent phrasing and feeling for the text. All singing was so nicely controlled and even, especially in the Verdi. Rhythmic precision is so inherent with each phrase and nuances are clearly articulated. This is incredible singing throughout. Very interesting selections: all extremely well performed.
Donald Hartmann of The American Prize
KIRSTEN FLAGSTAD FESTIVAL: STARS OF THE FUTURE
Suzanne Vinnik distinguished herself as the prima donna, and the duet with Dounghwan Lee was an intense finale.
Paula Bjertnes and Geir Vestad of Hamar Arbeiderbla
LYRIC OPERA OF VIRGINIA: CARMEN
Suzanne Vinnik's pure soprano took the vocal honors as the pitiable Micaela.
Suzanne Vinnik, as Micaëla, Don José’s old flame from back home, was suitably earnest and innocent in character and quite splendid vocally. Her solo [aria and duet are the] production’s real show-stoppers.
Letter V
PITTSBURGH OPERA: HANSEL UND GRETEL
Lauricella & Vinnik embraced the subtle mannerisms and curious wonder that ultimately lead the two astray as though they truly were the small children they portrayed. In perfect balance, their instruments soared beautifully at every moment, accentuating wonderful points in the story such as when Gretel teaches Hansel to dance, and the two sing about their guardian angels as they fall asleep on the forest floor.
Sung by two women, Hansel (Stephanie Lauricella) and Gretel (Suzanne Vinnik) may have more duets/tandem singing than any other two roles in opera. These two resident artists meshed brilliantly. Ms. Vinnik has the fatter role, not just in the greedy eyes of the Witch, and her soprano voice soared potently at times, revealing a hint of a darker tone.
Andrew Druckenbrod of Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Mezzo-soprano Stephanie Lauricella as Hansel and soprano Suzanne Vinnik as Gretel were each outstanding and a well-matched pair of siblings. Vinnik projected the strong personality of her role with impressively security and tonally rich singing.
Mark Kanny of Pittsburgh Tribune
PITTSBURGH OPERA: PEARL FISHERS
The performance was stunning, and truly gave the “more experienced” cast a run for their money....the young cast of Resident Artists potentially outperforming their more established seniors.
Christian Kriegeskotte of Opera Pulse
THE CASTLETON FESTIVAL: LA BOHEME
Suzanne Vinnik was a refreshing Musetta, more tasteful and subtle (in dress and manner) than typically encountered...there was beautifully molded, vividly communicative phrasing, too.
Suzanne Vinnik had a nice, clear voice and looked great onstage.
Anne Midgette of The Washington Post
Suzanne Vinnik's Musetta, refreshingly, showed a more sophisticated side right from her entrance; this wasn't the usual sex-kitten shtick. The soprano matched that multi-layered portrayal with a vibrant voice and consistently animated phrasing. ...vibrantly sung Musetta...
PALM BEACH OPERA: GRAND FINALS CONCERT
Soprano Suzanne Vinnik, 24, from Las Vegas, performed the scena: É strano..Sempre libera from Verdi’s La Traviata. She brought an amazingly mature skill to this difficult piece. Some beautiful, floated pianissimos were gorgeous in the upper reaches.
The audience was given an opportunity to vote by cell phone on their one favorite young artist. Not agreeing with the judges, they chose soprano Vinnik, who excelled in her selection from Verdi’s La Traviata.
R. Spencer Butler of Palm Beach Daily News
The soprano Suzanne Vinnik gave a dramatic account of Violetta’s stream of consciousness aria È strano…Sempre libera, with coloratura that was generally on the money, with particularly impressive runs toward the end. She took fourth prize yet clearly made a hit with the Kravis Center patrons, nabbing the Audience Favorite Award.
GEORGE LONDON FOUNDATION
Of particular note ... the soprano Suzanne Vinnik sang expressively in “Adieu notre petite table” from Massenet’s “Manon.”
Vivien Schweitzer of The New York Times
MANNES OPERA: THE CRUCIBLE
All the principal vocalists turned in admirable efforts on Friday. Some portrayals were ideal: Suzanne Vinnik’s brightly amoral Abigail Williams... in Act I of “The Crucible”
WESTFIELD SYMPHONY: NEW YEAR’S EVE GALA
Mr. Wroe maintained a breathtaking balance between the lush orchestra’s driving beat and the sultry voice of Ms. Vinnik.
Susan M. Dougherty, Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times