Critical Essays / Commentaries / Press Reviews

Soprano Pavla Vykopalová in the title role was an engaging and sympathetic Jenůfa. She has an appealing voice with an attractive timbre, a rich middle voice with a bright, secure upper register. Her beautifully rendered phrasing captured the lyrical quality of the part, although this was not at the expense of Jenufa’s inner pain and suffering. Her vocal versatility and ability to expertly develop characterization were impressive which was wonderfully illustrated in her Act two monologue, “Mamičko, mám težkou hlavu, mám, mám,” in which she runs through a string of emotions, as she searches for her mother, then her baby, anxiously awaits Steva’s arrival, panics and worries over the baby’s whereabouts and prays for her child’s safety.

More at https://operawire.com/brno-janacek-festival-2020-review-jenufa

04. 10. 2020 | Lukáš Pavlica

More at http://www.mestohudby.cz/publicistika/kritika/jeji-pastorkyna-mezi-jablky-a-sedymi-zdmi-s-karitou-mattilou

11. 01. 2020 | Dr. Ingobert Waltenberger

More at https://onlinemerker.com/cd-beethoven-egmont-op-84-reicha-lenore-wiederveroeffentlichung-erstklassiger-aufnahmen-in-kluger-gegenueberstellung-der-zwei

20. 11. 2019 | Anežka Šejnohová

More at https://www.klasikaplus.cz/reflexe-2/item/2510-17-listopad-s-dvorakovou-svatou-ludmilou

29. 09. 2019 | Milan Bátor

More at https://www.ostravan.cz/59476/publikum-svatovaclavskeho-festivalu-si-nemohlo-prat-dustojnejsi-a-rozmanitejsi-zakonceni

28. 05. 2019 | Karla Hofmannová

More at https://operaplus.cz/abonentni-cyklus-ceskeho-filharmonickeho-sboru-brno-vyvrcholil-svatou-ludmilou

03. 04. 2019 | Martin Jemelka

More at https://www.casopisharmonie.cz/kritiky/dvorakova-ceska-krizova-cesta-ve-spolehlivych-rukou.html

26. 12. 2018 | Peter Bleha

More at https://dennikn.sk/blog/1334436/benackova-vykopalova-a-ludha-pod-vedenim-juraja-valcuhu-do-teatro-di-san-carlo-sa-po-50-rokoch-vratila-kata-kabanova

20. 12. 2018 | Luigi Paolillo

It was a perfectly coordinated performance with singers who I haven't known so far. I was enthusiastic about dramatic and choral cast of the actress singing the leading part of Kát’a Kabanová. She was given a long-standing ovation of the audience, which was not numerous but very enthusiastic. Pavla Vykopalova’s Káťa is very heartfelt, tender and at the same time strong. She can get used to her role, she can show various forms of Káťa’s character – on one hand a suffering woman too wrapped up in herself and her deep sorrow and on the other hand she can show a dreamy woman who wants to fly with seagulls up to a passionate and luscious unfaithful woman suffering from her fault and social pressure. We can find all of it in Pavla Vykopalova’s voice, which has an unbelievable flexibility and sophistication. It belongs only top – level stars. Her performance is also outstanding, with a lot of sensitivity and charisma over and above a common standard. Pavla Vykopalova’s Káťa is authentic.

More at https://www.fermataspettacolo.it/lirica/la-perfetta-macchina-scenica-di-kata-kabanova

17. 12. 2018 | Salvatore Morra

The audience is also enthusiastic because Pavla Vykopalova’s soprano has unsurpassable stage performance. Her pleasant and soulful voice with the full timbre including low tones is surprising. Costumes by Wolfgang Gussmann show a perfect wife at first changing later into a sexy half naked sinner but at the same time a gentle and tender woman.

More at https://www.giornaledellamusica.it/recensioni/il-dramma-di-kata-kabanova