Norma / Grange Park Opera
“At Grange Park, the technical demands of Bellini’s Norma hold no terrors for the extraordinary Claire Rutter, who embraces the meditative hymn of ‘Cast Diva’, the coloratura fireworks of the confrontation with Pollione and the Gluckian sublime of her final self-sacrifice with an ease, command and tonal splendour which I haven’t heard equalled for a generation.”
The Daily Telegraph
“Rutter’s gorgeously steely soprano: real people, you feel, in a real predicament. Ably supported by Stephen Barlow in the pit, the arias, duets, and trios develop searing momentum. And when the action gets going, it’s gripping. Hovering over her children with a knife, then yielding to her maternal feelings, this Norma sings for all humanity; when she declares her readiness to purify herself on the funeral pyre with Pollione, she becomes transfigured by her own ecstasy. But if Rutter is the star, the production as a whole is a superb piece of ensemble work.”
The Independent
“…Claire Rutter’s extraordinarily vivid and generous performance in the title role…This bel canto Everest was impressively well within her reach, and Rutter even raised the summit a notch by singing ‘Casta Diva’ up a tone, in the original key of G. All the bel canto effects – steely coloratura, flexible phrasing – were there in their mannered glory, and she had the power for some spectacular dramatic vocal broadsides in the Act 1 confrontation with Adalgisa and, even more memorably, in Act 2, when she sets out to kill her children.”
Opera
“A brief word of praise for Grange Park’s roof-raising Norma…In Claire Rutter, Grange Park has secured a thrilling, starry Norma, her voice secure even in the stratospheric top notes. The entire audience leapt to their feet when Rutter took her bow.”
The Observer
"Bellini's opera about a Druid priestess who breaks her vows by entering into a relationship with a Roman enemy is not only one of the peaks of the bel canto repertoire, but also includes what is arguably the most challenging role ever written for the soprano voice. The range of technical skills required, plus its musical and dramatic demands, not to mention its sheer length, place it beyond the means of all but the most outstanding interpreters. It says much for the artistry of Claire Rutter that she assumes it so superbly ... an exceptional portrayal."
The Stage
“Right from the start, Claire Rutter is a commanding Norma, vocally unthreatened even by singing Casta diva one tone higher than normal, in its original key of G.”
The Times
Lucrezia Borgia / English National Opera
“Claire Rutter (Lucrezia) is a bel canto marvel. Rich of voice, silken of tone, both vocally agile and powerful, she’s a wonderful Lucrezia.”
Bloomberg
“The ability to dazzle technically, as well as command the stage dramatically, is pre-requisite for a successful interpretation. Claire Rutter has these attributes. She has an ample, agile voice with dark tones that lend dramatic bite to her singing, and with security and power at the top of the voice. Her singing was committed and became increasingly assured. Of necessity she made much dramatic point through vocal colouring, as any self-respecting singer of the bel canto repertoire should.”
Classical Source
“Claire Rutter is magnificent in the title role. Donizetti always tests his sopranos with show-off coloratura arias that demand a powerful voice, extreme control and a wide range, all of which Rutter displayed excellently.”
The Daily Express
“In the title role, Claire Rutter gives a glorious display of bel canto, with elegant legato, supple crescendo and diminuendo, crisply articulated runs, stunning high notes and even a trill. She looks wonderful and moves regally…”
The Daily Telegraph
“In the title role, Claire Rutter has the bel canto style, the top notes, the ability to spin a phrase so that it takes on a beauty of its own…”
The Financial Times
“Vocally, though, it's often sensational. Claire Rutter and Michael Fabiano are fabulous as the embattled mother and son. She hurls out coloratura like spattered drops of venom.”
The Guardian
“And in the midst of it all is the abused and abusing Lucrezia sung with grace and courage by the excellent Claire Rutter. She makes a real fist of the all-pervasive coloratura, embracing the limpid embellishments (including one perfect trill) and nailing the whopping high notes…”
The Independent
“Rutter's muscular coloratura, idiomatic phrasing and sweetly spun high notes are handsomely delivered…”
Independent on Sunday
“In the title role Claire Rutter’s voice is clean, precise and demonstrates brilliant control in the upper register…”
Londonist
“Claire Rutter is a forceful yet unfussy Lucrezia -– everyone is ultimately a victim of her iron will (and iron-melting soprano). That includes Alfonso, Gennaro and, movingly, herself.”
Los Angeles Times
“Claire Rutter demonstrates a real flair for bel canto style and spins out a seductive, polished and dramatic sound.”
Metro
“Throughout, Rutter was most impressive vocally, tackling Donizetti’s demanding writing with real agility (she also has the ability to deliver a near-perfect trill). Rutter really came into her own in the final stages of the opera, when everything comes into focus, plot-wise, and tragedy rears its head as her son Gennaro (taken from her at birth) dies in her arms.”
Music Web International
“Mr Figgis was an intriguing choice to stage this gripping Donizetti work. And he had a gifted and willing cast, headed by the lustrous British soprano Claire Rutter in the title role Ms Rutter has a gleaming and agile voice. She incisively dispatched the coloratura flights, which sometimes turn demonic, and was engrossing during the long stretches of dramatic recitative.”
New York Times
“The talented British soprano Claire Rutter in the title role offered pearly coloratura and top-note precision.”
The Observer
“Vocally, though, it’s often sensational. Claire Rutter and Michael Fabiano are fabulous as the embattled mother and son…She has everything for 19th-century opera: big, beautiful sound, natural musicianship, impressive technical agility, even a recognisable trill.”
Opera
“Claire Rutter in the title role has a sumptuous voice, rich and full, and hits the high notes with stunning ease.”
Sunday Express
“Her singing blew me away; unflagging power, crystal clear coloratura.”
The Times
“Claire Rutter's coloratura Lucrezia is assured, vigorous and suitably fierce.”
Variety
“Claire Rutter is wonderfully cast as Lucrezia, with her coloratura precisely pitched and her voice strong and warm throughout.”
Wall Street Journal
“With her bell-like coloratura and dramatic gifts, Rutter conveys the depth of Lucrezia’s torments through tonal beauty, never belting or shrieking.”
What’s On Stage
Lucrezia Borgia / Live in 3D from ENO
“Rutter, fully in command of the killer (in every sense) title role, achieved her most vocally memorable moments with consistently lush top notes, whatever the dynamic.”
Opera
Elgar: The Apostles / London Symphony Orchestra
“Claire Rutter used the full reach and plangency of her lyric/dramatic soprano to convey the Blessed Virgin's heartache, crowning Elgar's stupendous climax of affirmation between heaven and earth in suitably Brünnhilde-ish fashion.”
The Independent
Elgar: The Kingdom / Hallé CD
“…Claire Rutter brings considerable technical acumen and strength of feeling to the Virgin Mary’s towering soliloquy “The sun goeth down” at the end of Part 4...”
Gramophone
Holst: The Mystic Trumpeter / Naxos CD
“Soprano Claire Rutter has a lovely voice and sings with all the passionate expression that the poem requires.”
American Record Guide
Howells: Hymnus Paradisi / Naxos CD
“…Hill’s new version with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and Bach Choir is equally welcome, above all for the solo contributions of Claire Rutter and James Gilchrist.”
Financial Times
Mahler: Symphony No. 8 / Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
“Claudia Barainsky and Claire Rutter simply sailed along with some absolutely glorious high sounds which blended in perfectly.”
Classical Source
Donna Anna: Don Giovanni / Dallas Opera
“Soprano Claire Rutter, playing the noblewoman Donna Anna wronged by Giovanni, gives a dynamic performanceliving up to recent comparisons to opera legend Maria Callas. Her interpretation of the aria “Non mi dir” is exquisite. Her voice has a beautiful tone with a rich dramatic flair powerful enough to fill the concert hall.”
The Examiner
“Donna Anna, the daughter of The Commendatore, is played with beautiful expressivity by Claire Rutter. Rutter has a voice that will send chills up and down your spine. There is a purity of pitch which creates a physical sensation. In other words, when a note is perfectly hit and sustained you can actually feel a reverberation.”
Pegasus News
Donna Anna: Don Giovanni / Opéra national du Rhin
“It was the Donna Anna of Claire Rutter that gave the most pleasure with her timbre, the ease of vocalisation and the wonderful expressiveness she brought to her singing.”
Forum Opéra
Manon Lescaut / Chelsea Opera Group
“…beginning by showing Manon’s physical frailty, then exploiting the dark sound of her chest notes as she was ravaged by thirst and ending with a sovereign “Sola, perduta, abbandonata”.
Classical Source
“Rutter has an attractive lyric dramatic voice, with a fine sense of line, so that whilst she doesn't sound sixteen (and who does?) she was convincingly able to convey Manon's youthful naivety in Act 1, albeit with a suitably knowing undertow. In the duet which concluded Act 2 she displayed the sort of mature power which helped make her performance in the more harrowing final two acts so powerful and so moving.”
Music & Vision Daily
“…bel canto refinement, unfailingly lovely top notes, and consistent interpretative insight…”
Opera
Tosca / English National Opera
“Blest with a powerful stage presence and a top-end coloratura like warm steel, Rutter was Floria Tosca to the life…”
Classical Source
“Claire Rutter as Tosca, Gwyn Hughes Jones as her lover, the painter Cavaradossi, and Anthony Michaels-Moore as the villainous police chief Scarpia all have huge voices, and hearing them all at full belt in combination with such instrumental vigour was totally thrilling.”
Daily Express
“Claire Rutter offered the complete assumption of the title role, from shading her voice down as Cavaradossi’s coquettish lover to unleashing her snarling fury at Sarpia. “Vissi d’arte” was wonderfully sung, displaying Tosca’s humility in ravishingly sculpted phrasing, her top notes full and powerful and effortlessly floated.”
Opera Brittania
As the celebrated singer, Claire Rutter takes the stage by storm. In Act One she makes Tosca an exasperatingly demanding figure, but this only makes the character more human, and in no way undermines our understanding of her virtuous nature. Rutter’s strong and powerful voice resonates in our ears, while the precision, focus and detail inherent in it bring all of the delicacy that is equally required."
Londonist
“…there’s good vocal material on display, with Claire Rutter a tireless exponent of Puccini’s notes, which she delivers in the grand manner.”
The Stage
Tosca / English National Opera 2011 Revival
“Claire Rutter overcomes it all with a performance of memorable vocal splendour and subtle acting, and her top Cs soar out with thrilling ease.”
Bloomberg
“Blest with a powerful stage presence and a top-end coloratura like warm steel, Rutter was Floria Tosca to the life…”
Classical Source
“Claire Rutter as Tosca, Gwyn Hughes Jones as her lover, the painter Cavaradossi, and Anthony Michaels-Moore as the villainous police chief Scarpia all have huge voices, and hearing them all at full belt in combination with such instrumental vigour was totally thrilling.”
Daily Express
“With Rutter in terrific form, musical and dramatic elements cohere in one of the most gripping Toscas seen in London for many a year.”
Evening Standard
“Rutter lets fly top Cs as one born to it.”
The Guardian
“Her sound has a luxurious sweetness…”
The Independent
“As the celebrated singer, Claire Rutter takes the stage by storm. In Act One she makes Tosca an exasperatingly demanding figure, but this only makes the character more human, and in no way undermines our understanding of her virtuous nature. Rutter’s strong and powerful voice resonantes in our ears, while the precision, focus and detail inherent in it bring all of the delicacy that is equally required.”
Londonist
“To catch a terrific, scalp-tingling Tosca, look no further than Claire Rutter at the Coliseum. Glorious of voice and subtle of acting, she’s worth the price of the ticket alone.”
Metro
“Rutter’s Tosca is initially overbearing, self-absorbed, jealous and fiery – all the qualities of a prima donna for whom, one might think, no stage is big enough and no man sufficiently manly. Rutter’s acting is well-pitched and believable. Over the course of the opera Tosca emerges as fuller and more complex than she appears at first sight. Her vulnerability comes to the fore as we get the sense of the consequences for her disposition of her being the sole woman in a man-dominated environement.”
Musical Criticism
“Claire Rutter was an affecting Tosca, not a flouncing diva but a flesh-and-blood woman who believed (naively) that she could outwit the wily Scarpia. Her ripe, rounded soprano sailed through the lyrical passages and she was not afraid to let out a shriek of jealousy – ‘Attavanti!’ – when she suspected Cavaradossi was cheating on her.”
Opera
“Claire Rutter offered the complete assumption of the title role, from shading her voice down as Cavaradossi’s coquettish lover to unleashing her snarling fury at Scarpia. “Vissi d’arte” was wonderfully sung, displaying Tosca’s humility in ravishingly sculpted phrasing, her top notes full and powerful and effortlessly floated.”
Opera Britannia
“…Tosca’s jealousy, kindness and stoicism are well caught in a confidently sung and heroically acted portrayal.”
The Opera Critic
“…there’s good vocal material on display, with Claire Rutter a tireless exponent of Puccini’s notes, which she delivers in the grand manner.”
The Stage
“Rutter offers a big, broad sound, as bold and milky as the gaseous night sky in Frank Philip Schlossman’s fine third realisation of the Castel Sant’Angelo.”
The Sunday Telegraph
“…future audiences should thrill to an English soprano whose Tosca knows little fear, spiritual, physical or vocal.”
The Times
In the title role Claire Rutter produces thrilling high notes which come across with a laser-like intensity…”
What’s On Stage
Tosca / Grange Park Opera
“…Lindsay Posner, draws a large-scale performance from a small stage, and Claire Rutter’s feisty diva makes a strong centrepiece.”
Financial Times
“…Claire Rutter’s boldly penetrating Tosca.”
The Stage
“Claire Rutter is the only British soprano with all the requisite vocal thrills and spills for Tosca, and she delivers big time…”
The Sunday Times
Aida / English National Opera
“…Claire Rutter in the title role is beautifully secure and blazingly intense.”
The Guardian
“…Above all, though, the evening was a triumph for Claire Rutter as Aida. This was a performance of international quality in a role that, like Radames, has proved a stumbling block for the great and the good of sopranos over the decades. But Rutter didn't drop a single stitch. She dominated the ensembles with her shining top, she phrased with unfailing musicality, and she floated the high ledger lines of that treacherous lament for her homeland in Act III with deceptive ease. Equally impressive was her farewell to life in the final scene – the evening's most effective visual coup, with the walls of the pyramid quite literally closing in on the lovers.”
The Independent
“Claire Rutter is an appealing Aida, sweetly poignant in the upper register, firm of purpose lower down.”
This is London
Aida (Revival) / English National Opera
“Claire Rutter's Aida has both the heft and delicacy for the title role, and she rides the big ensembles to thrilling effect.”
The Guardian
“In two runs of performances now Claire Rutter has made an extraordinary impression in the much-vaunted and highly challenging title role. She sings the role with great subtlety, finesse and imagination, making light of the extraordinary difficulties.”
The Independent
“But the standout performance is Claire Rutter’s Aida, whose tender lyricism and pure tone are shown off best in the daunting aria, O Patria Mia.”
The Times
Aida / Opera Australia
“Claire Rutter presented a powerful Aida with a voice which towered over the chorus and orchestra and carried a superb quality of emotion.”
The National Business Review
Abigaille: Nabucco / Opera North
“Rutter - all gobsmacking coloratura, neurotic fury and defensive hauteur - gives the performance of a lifetime.”
The Guardian
“Claire Rutter’s Abigaille is electrifying…”
The Independent