Press:

 

All Feature Critical Acclaim

“Rachel Willis-Sørensen is that rare bird who moves with equal passion from the scandalous accents of the beginning to the humility of the repentant; her tone is as sumptuous as it is perfectly even across the entire range, her phrasing lush and captivating…”

Diapason

“She embodies a cold and unapproachable beauty in the role of the adored courtesan, before finding new depth in the scenes of repentance. Her rich and full-bodied voice accurately conveys the character's intensity, while her precise and careful French diction is evidence of her thorough preparation. Her vocal line, supported by an elegant legato, follows the spiritual journey of the role, and the soprano fully liberates herself in the mystical moments, right up to the final ecstasy…her stage presence and the consistency of her interpretation make this performance convincing.”

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“From the moment she takes the stage, one is struck by the sumptuousness of the soprano's voice. She combines admirably sculpted diction with phenomenal play on the variations in the colors of her timbre and the metallic reflections that nestle within it. “C'est Thaïs, l'idole fragile” is a monument to sensuality, and the American soprano then bases her seduction on extremely elaborate dynamic nuances. The pianissimo of “Pour ce soir, sois joyeux” is intoxicating, the richness of the timbre exuding a dripping sensuality. The alternation between bursts of power and diminuendi is calibrated to build a fascinating character from the first act onwards, as this totally controlled voice becomes an instrument of power over the men she controls, just as the singer controls the sound.”

Concerto Net