Lisette Oropesa's portrayal of the doomed Scottish queen in "Maria Stuarda" at the Salzburger Festspiele has received widespread praise from critics. Her voice and acting brought the character to life, making this one of the standout productions of the summer festival season.
Critics especially praised Oropesa's singing. "Her high notes are radiant," says Dr. Karlheinz Roschitz from the Kronen Zeitung. Manuel Brug of Welt.de noted her "soft yet determined tone," while Reinhard Kriechbaum of DrehPunktKultur highlighted how Oropesa makes the coloratura feel integral rather than ornamental. Roland H. Dippel of Concerti.de commented on the "slightly bitter undertone" that enriches her high notes, adding emotional complexity to her portrayal.
Oropesa infused her interpretation of Maria with real emotional depth. Bernhard Neuhoff of BR Klassik praised her "wonderfully warm and full-bodied" voice, noting that her strength lies more in expression than acrobatics. Elena Deinhammer of Opera Magazine highlighted Oropesa's ability to blend "crystal-clear sound with great softness and sensitivity," maintaining elegance even in the most demanding bel canto passages.
The dramatic tension between Oropesa's Maria and Kate Lindsey's Elisabetta also drew praise. The confrontation between the two queens was described as "magnificent" by Roschitz, with Robert Hugill of Planet Hugill calling their interactions masterly.
Ulrich Rasche's staging has been noted for its grandiosity, but Oropesa's stage presence steals the show. Rubén Amón of El Confidencial called her the "queen" not just of the opera, but of the entire production. Monique Ten Boske of Place de l'Opera described her performance as "of rare beauty" and "world-class."
Oropesa's ability to convey Maria's dual nature—regal dignity contrasted with desperate humanity—particularly impressed critics. Markus Thiel of Merkur.de noted that her art presents "a profound narrative woven through her voice" rather than mere decoration.
"Maria Stuarda" has become a highlight of this year's Salzburger Festspiele. There is one more performance remaining and very few tickets remain.
