Both vocally and instrumentally, this was a high-class performance. Rachel Willis-Sørensen, in her role debut, became more and more confident as the evening passed, even if her acting occasionally had a studied quality. She sang gloriously, with poignancy and resolve, especially in her lower register. The pinnacle of her rendition was not the famous “Song to the moon”
Bachtrack
In the title-role, Rachel Willis-Sørensen, with a creamy rich soprano, sings powerfully and poignantly. Her rendition of the famous “Song to the Moon” combined beautiful tone with great lyrical intensity.
Classical Voice
Just 35, Willis-Sørensen is an exceptional Rusalka.
Theatrius
Her bright, easy tone soars above Dvorak’s lush orchestral writing and she is perfectly heartbreaking in the conclusion to this work.
Out West Arts
In her career, soprano Rachel Willis-Sørensen evidences great vocal versatility, with a repertoire of lyric as well as dramatic roles, and here she displays it all in one aria, both caressing with light entreaty and persisting with more steely resolve. Throughout the performance she demonstrates powerful dramatic style in the upper ranges and more understated lyricism in the lower.
Berkshire Fine Arts
Rachel Willis-Sørensen was nothing short of sensational!
The Berkeley Daily Planet
Her considerable vocal resources are now fully realized...the beauty of her silvery colored voice raging and caressing with unfaltering strength the conflicting emotions of her lost innocence.
Opera Today