Home

Kathleen Nic Dhiarmada, ringing and nuanced of tone…burns with a cold flame

Poppea, L’Incoronazione di Poppea,Ensemble Orquesta,Cockpit theatre, The stage, January 2019.
 

Nic Dhiarmada is born for Poppea. Her rich soprano voice copes well with the twist and turns of Monteverdi’s music.

Poppea, L’Incoronazione di Poppea, Ensemble OrQuesta, Cockpit theatre, Plays to See, Owen Davies, January 2019.

It’s difficult to pinpoint a standout performance as every person involved demonstrated a high level of vocal and acting skills. However, the scenes and duets between Poppea and Nerone must be mentioned for their intensity and passion, excellently delivered by Kathleen Nic Dhiarmada and Helen May. 

Poppea, L’Incoronazione di Poppea, Ensemble OrQuesta, Cockpit theatre, www.thespyinthestalls.com, January 2019.

Peter Edge’s warm, vibrant Marcello is paired with Kathleen Nic Dhiarmada’s incandescent Musetta.

Musetta, La Bohéme, Hampstead Garden Opera, Jackson Lane Theatre, The Stage, November 2019.
 

It would be invidious to pick out specific singers in what was clearly a collaborative enterprise, but Helen May as Calisto and Kathleen Nic Dhiarmada as Satirino and the Prologue’s L’Eternita deserve special mention for their singing and acting ability.

Satarino, La Calisto, Cockpit Theatre, EnsembleOrquesta, Andrew Benson-Wilson Early Music Reviews, February 2020.