On the CD release The Complete Songs of Virgil Thomson for Voice & Piano with Florestan Recital Project:
“This set is as important to the history of American art song as the Barber recordings of Cheryl Studer and Thomas Hampson two decades ago. All four singers major in clarity of diction and fluidity of phrasing…contralto Lynne McMurtry contributes, among much else, an ardent Praises & Prayers.”
Choral & Song cd Choice of the Month, August 2016
BBC Music Magazine
"The Florestan Rectial Project, performing here, delivers all this material with style, precision, and obvious love. The performers are all excellent, though I have to give special praise to alto Lynne McMurtry, whom I think has the most ideal match of color, articulation, and expression for this music."
Fanfare
"Why have I been discussing the works rather than the performances? Because all four singers are so accomplished, so precise, so free of artifice, and so intent on doing right by Thomson and making the words clear that you hear the compositions first, the interpretations second. I suspect that's what Thomson would have wanted."
Classics Today
On Falstaff with Edmonton Opera:
“Lynne McMurtry (was) perfect as the devious Miss Quickly”
Tom Murray
Edmonton Journal
On Tamerlano with Opera in Concert:
"Impressive mezzo-soprano Lynne McMurtry as Tamerlano continues to rivet the audience with her robust voice and dramatic flair."
Paula Citron
Classical 96.3 FM
On Vivaldi's La Griselda, recorded with Kevin Mallon and Aradia Ensemble on Naxos:
"As Roberto, mezzo Lynne McMurtry is another Canadian voice to discover. Her low registers are expressive and furious, giving her presence and personality. Undoubtedly, the scenes between Roberto and Costanza are the best moments of this recording, thanks to these two excellent singers... "
Forum Opera
www.forumopera.com
On a solo recital:
"The songs McMurtry chose covered a wide spectrum of topics and emotions, a range she exploited fully with her rich, flexible and large voice. Her singing style remains easy and fluid even as she penetrates deep into our psyches. The program itself was a master stroke of careful pacing and stylistic counterpoint."
Toronto Star
Read the Full Review Here
On La Griselda with Opera in Concert:
"The most polished performance came from mezzo-soprano Lynne McMurtry as Roberto who managed to inject a honey-smooth fluidity into Vivaldi's verbal gymnastics."
Classical 96.3 FM
On her performance of Mahler songs with the
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra:
"...the young soloist posseses a powerhouse voice with wonderful breath control and a controlled sense of line....McMurtry undoubtedly has a long career ahead of her and it would be fascinating to hear her sing this work again 10 years from now."
Winnipeg Free Press
On Opera to Go with Tapestry New Opera:
"McMurtry is a force of nature as the ambitious mother and also dominated two other operas in which she sang. This young artist has pipes of steel, an assured technique and great stage presence, which bode a great future. "
Toronto Star
"The stand-out singer was mezzo-soprano McMurtry, who possesses a big, dramatic voice and many shades of nuance. She is also an actress of immense talent."
Opera Canada
On Night Blooming Cereus with Opera in Concert:
"McMurtry turned from good to ravishing in Beckwith’s Night Blooming Cereus....As Mrs. Brown, Lynne McMurtry was close to perfect, at one point holding our attention in her complete control for what must have been 15 minutes of uninterrupted solo performing."
Globe & Mail
"Much of the stage time belongs to Mrs. Brown, superbly sung by McMurtry, whose velvet-toned mezzo captured the right mood, and who somehow made her difficult vocal part seem effortless. One can only hope to see much more of this wonderful young singer on our stages."
Toronto Star
"McMurtry was simply outstanding as Mrs. Brown, with fulsome tone and careful characterization...as McMurtry sang... it was like listening to a deeply felt lieder cycle of short songs that limned a whole life."
Opera Canada
|
