Richard Tucker Foundation Gala 2011

“As gala concerts go, this one had enough star power for a whole galaxy. With such guests on hand as tenor Jonas Kaufmann, bass-baritone Bryn Terfel and powerhouse mezzo-sopranos Stephanie Blythe and Dolora Zajick, the excitement level was up several notches Sunday night for this year’s benefit for the Richard Tucker Music Foundation. It helped that the 2011 honoree (and $30,000 prize winner), soprano Angela Meade, is already an accomplished artist who can hold her own in such high-powered company. Meade’s opening number, an aria from Verdi’s ‘Attila,’ showed off her large voice, resplendent high notes and technical agility.”

— Associated Press, Mike Silverman (November 2011)

“The evening’s main business was to honor this year’s Tucker Award winner, the young soprano Angela Meade, who receives a $30,000 prize, the foundation’s largest grant. Ms. Meade recently sang three performances of the title role in Donizetti’s ‘Anna Bolena’ in the Met’s new production, and she returns to the company in February for Verdi’s seldom-heard ‘Ernani.’ Her first offering here was a fiery aria from Verdi’s ‘Attila.’ Her sound was enormous, rich and unforced; her coloratura runs and passagework were dispatched with aplomb and precision. Vocally, Ms. Meade was even better in the Act I finale of Bellini’s ‘Norma,’ for which she was joined by the mezzo-soprano Dolora Zajick as Adalgisa and the sturdy tenor Frank Porretta (substituting for Mr. Giordani) as Pollione.”

— The New York Times, Anthony Tommasini (November 2011)