"...The wiry, soubrettish voices to which the rôle of Rosalinde’s feisty chambermaid Adele is too often entrusted can inspire dread of the character’s numbers, but soprano Kyaunnee Richardson made Adele’s scenes mesmerizing. Blissfully untroubled by her very first note being a top B, Richardson voiced ‘Was schreibt meine Schwester Ida?’ entrancingly, and each emotionally-charged phrase of Adele’s part in the terzett with Rosalinde and Eisenstein was shaped with vocal finesse and shrewdness. In this performance, Adele’s arrival at the ball in Act Two, clad in Rosalinde’s dress, was delectably reminiscent of Carol Burnett’s legendary curtain dress scene in her ‘Went with the Wind!’ sketch, and Richardson’s voicing of the oft-excerpted couplets ‘Mein Herr Marquis, ein Mann wie Sie,’ her trills and top D lustrous, recalled the singing of Burnett’s friend Beverly Sills. As Adele exhibited her fledgling talent for the stage, seeking sponsorship for a career in the theater, the couplets in Act Three, ‘Spiel ich die Unschuld vom Lande,’ were intoned with musical and comedic virtuosity. In fantastic voice throughout the performance, Richardson reserved her best effort for the final scene, bringing down the curtain with a phenomenal interpolated top D, and her uncontainable smile brought sunlight to the auditorium on a stormy afternoon..."
“And Kyaunnee Richardson is especially memorable with a beautifully playful coloratura and a winning way with a snarky aside.”
“And Kyaunnee Richardson is especially memorable with a beautifully playful coloratura and a winning way with a snarky aside.”
“…Kyaunnee Richardson is especially memorable with a wonderfully playful coloratura and a winning form with a sarcastic side which makes her Adele character an idea…”
“…the two women [Gloria Palermo and Kyaunnee Richardson] created the spirit of childhood without resorting to over-the-top mugging. Their voices blend beautifully, and both have memorable solo turns as well.”
“… Kyaunnee Richardson is a sparkling Frasquita.”
“Have you been to the opera in Orlando? It’s been on my “someday list” and I’m finally going to make it happen. Join me and find out why Opera Orlando’s The Secret River is a must-see this holiday season and learn more about its lead soprano Kyaunnee Richardson as I had a chance to chat with her about her inspiration, the importance of this role as well as a bit of movie, Disney and foodie fun because it wouldn’t be Go Epicurista without it! I hope you’re inspired, get tickets and go #MakeSomedayHappen”
“…A lot rests on the shoulders of Kyaunnee Richardson, who plays Calpurnia, and she succeeds marvelously in capturing childlike inquisitiveness and determination without overplaying…”
“… Although, let’s not forget Richardson’s Sister, whose quick-witted reactions to Stella-Rondo are hilarious, and yet, quirky; for instance, tomato canning in the kitchen turns into a playful way to vent her frustrations…”
“… A particular joy of Opera in Williamsburg’s staging of Così fan tutte was the casting of a young, vibrant Despina who both possesses and wields complete control over a fine voice… Soprano Kyaunnee Richardson ignite the performance with her fiery singing and personality… Vocally and comedically, Richardson was an typically endearing Despina who both earned her laughs and sang Mozart’s music with charm and technical flair…”