“Soprano Elza van den Heever, in what is effectively the title role of Leonore, and tenor Russell Thomas as her husband Florestan, rose to their respective star moments - a luminous account of the Act 1 aria “Komm, Hoffnung” for her…” But when she launched her vow to save her imprisoned husband’s life, her lustrous soprano rang out in gorgeously ascendant arches.” “Her flak jacket emblazoned with a giant SECURITY logo on the back, van den Heever was endearingly klutzy and vocally self-effacing in her male disguise. A fine actor as well, she communicated a wife’s love for her husband whenever she did not have to pretend to be a male prison guard.” She easily encompassed the cold fury of the opening phrases and the warmth of the ensuing rainbow-clad dream. Van Den Heever’s “Abscheulicher, wo eilst du hin?” (“Monster, where are you hurrying”) showed her ability to sing in a florid style with splendid, long, Bel Canto phrases and a modicum of accurate coloratura. “Russell Thomas and Elza Van Den Heever have well-matched heroic voices that exhibit great beauty of tone when buoyed up by Conductor Eun Sun Kim’s large, musically colorful orchestra. Critical Acclaim Fidelio at the San Francisco Opera

Fidelio san francisco opera