Joyce Castle Mezzo-Soprano Professor of Voice
Selected Reviews
Joyce Castle, professor of voice/opera, recently received a review in Opera News for her role in Dialogues of the Carmelites at Mannes Opera:
IN REVIEW
NEW YORK CITY — Dialogues of the Carmelites, Mannes Opera, 5/3/08
Mezzo Joyce Castle's guest appearance as the Old Prioress in Mannes Opera's recent run of Poulenc's Dialogues of the Carmelites was something of a double-edged sword: the student performances paled in comparison to her complete audibility, perfect English diction, masterful stagecraft and total immersion in character, yet she provided a prime example for her young colleagues of opera performance at its highest level. The production was dedicated to the memory of another brilliant singing actress, Régine Crespin (who played the New Prioress in the French premiere and the Old Prioress in John Dexter's stunning 1987 Met production). Is it sacrilege to suggest that even the unforgettable Crespin performance dimmed somewhat in the blaze of Castle's death scene?
To read the entire review, click here.
Queen Elizabeth, Gloriana (Central City Opera)
"Joyce Castle has what it takes: the inflections, the voice color, the stage presence, and her talent as an actress." "The competition was tough...but none, to our knowledge, was superior to Joyce Castle's. Never criticized for her high tessitura as a mezzo, she has the merit of fully integrating herself among the rest of the cast that surrounds her, without playing the star."
— Charles Pitt, International Opera
Claire Zachanassian, The Visit of the Old Lady (New York City Opera)
"This Visit is Exquisite...and the rock-solid cast, led by the marvelously sardonic Joyce Castle in the title role, makes the most of it."
— Terry Teachout, Daily News (NY)
Queen Elizabeth, Gloriana (Central City Opera)
"Naturally, the opera revolves around Elizabeth-and on Saturday it swirled around the once in a lifetime performance of Joyce Castle. Never did she stray over the top or she lose sight of the humanness of Gloriana ...Castle grew stronger with each scene."
— Marc Shulgold, Rocky Mountain News
Mother Sorel, The Consul (Berkshire Opera and Newport Classics)
"With her large mezzo and clean delivery, Joyce Castle made a strong, poignant Mother as she cared for Magda's dying baby."
— Leslie Kandell, Opera News
Fricka and Waltraute, The Ring (Seattle Opera)
"Other outstanding performances were those of...Joyce Castle as Fricka and Waltraute"
— Barry Millington, The Times (London)
"Joyce Castle's Waltraute on Friday truly stirred...Solid presences were...Ms. Castle's (Fricka.)"
— Bernard Holland, The New York Times
Greta's Mother/The Old Lady, Central Park (Glimmerglass Opera)
"...Still, Strawberry Fields seduced me, along with the rest of the audience - not least because of a delicately heartbreaking star turn by Joyce Castle."
— Alex Ross, The New Yorker
"'Strawberry Fields'... this work is Ms. Castle's star turn. Greta...has been dragged to the ritual by her meddlesome mother, characterized brilliantly by Joyce Castle."
— Allan Kozinn, The New York Times
Jezibaba, Rusalka (Seattle Opera)
"Joyce Castle's rich, pointed singing made Jezibaba a most formidable presence."
— Theodore Deacon, Opera
