critical acclaim/press
Press review
"It was truly Dísella Lárusdóttir’s night, though. Her terrifyingly beautiful sound, powerful and cutting (more biblical angel than airy-fairy) and mesmerizing physical intensity made it impossible for me to take my eyes from her; even her silent interactions with the spirit of her dead husband, Amenhotep III (Zachary James) were infused with a seemingly unlimited stream of power, her eyes blazing with the frightening surety of a true fanatic."
– Gabrielle Ferrari, Parterre Box
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"More powerful yet was the soprano Disella Larusdottir as Queen Tye, Akhnaten’s mother. Penetrating and resonant, she shot out burst-like phrases with nearly mechanical exactitude and endurance, but was also expressive within the discipline. It’s Akhnaten, pioneering a kind of monotheism in his worship of the sun god Aten, who banishes the priests from the temple in Act II. On Thursday, though, the attack seemed to come from Queen Tye, so frightening and forceful was Larusdottir in her delivery."
– Joshua Barone, New York Times
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©Karen Almond - Metropolitan Opera
“Dísella ... inhabited her role completely. With the subtlest change of expression or posture, Lárusdóttir immediately commanded attention or shifted the mood.”
– Rick Perdian, Seen and Heard International
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©Claire McAdams Photography
“…sung with beauty, ease and artistry…Ms. Larusdottir stopped the show with ‘O quante volte.’”
– Anne Midgette, The New York Times
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“The vocal blend of Costanzo’s Akhnaten with mezzo J’Nai Bridges as his wife, Nefertiti, and soprano Disella Lárusdóttir as his mother, Queen Tye, was sublime. Just enough alike and just enough different, they sang as individuals and spoke as one voice depending on the moment in the score.”
– George Grella, New York Classical Review
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“Dísella Lárusdóttir, ...a bright, clear sound and plenty of pep to boot. Her voice had an ethereal quality to it, particularly when floating above ...”
– Callum John Blackmore, Parterre Box
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“Ms. Larusdottir deployed her high, bright and clear voice with a striking ease and consistency…her voice shimmered like silver…a thrilling liquid quality…After the easy grace Ms. Larusdottir brought to six lyrical Icelandic songs, her dramatic power in Rachmaninoff’s ‘In My Garden at Night’ and ‘To Her,’ from Six Songs (Op. 38), was almost startling.”
– Stephen Smith, The New York Times
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“Làrusdóttir possesses a bright, penetrating voice that seems devoid of weak points, and her dramatic entrance immediately told everyone in the audience that we were hearing someone special announce something special…Làrusdóttir proved she can make a song float, too…[she] combined vocal power with the nuanced expressiveness art songs require…Làrusdóttir has developed an effective story-telling style…Làrusdóttir maintained style and power all the way to the end.”
– Broad Street Review (Philadelphia)
© Rebeccay Fay Photography
“…sung with beauty, ease and artistry…Ms. Larusdottir stopped the show with ‘O quante volte.’” – Anne Midgette, The New York Times
for full review:
“[The year 2007] offered memorable moments…the promising Icelandic soprano Dísella Làrusdóttir sang meltingly in the semifinals of the Met Grand Council auditions in March.”
– The New York Times
“…reliably breathtaking…”
– The New York Times
© Rebeccay Fay Photography
”As Esilena, Disella Larusdottir demonstrated a bright, attractive soprano, singing with nimble coloratura and expressive conviction.” - Vivien Schweitzer, The New York Times
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“Làrusdóttir encompassed [the world première of Andrea Clearfield’s The Rim of Love and Barber’s Knoxville: Summer of 1915 with comprehension and conviction…Làrusdóttir has a well-honed voice.” – The Philadelphia Inquirer
”...her gorgeous, pointed sound and creamy middle voice are world-class.” - Judith Malafronte,
The Classical Review
for full review:
“[Làrusdóttir]’s voice…was engaged on so many levels…” – The Philadelphia Inquirer
“…soprano Dísella Làrusdóttir made an impression of great promise that only made you want to hear more.” –The Philadelphia Inquirer
“With her strongly projected lyric soprano and her striking good looks, Dísella Làrusdóttir is undoubtedly headed toward a solid career in opera…Làrusdóttir’s is an appealing presence; I look forward to her operatic ventures…”
– Fred Cohn, Opera News Online
© Rebeccay Fay Photography
Press media:
New York Times Feature Video / 2007 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions:
© Self portrait :)