This week marks Lauren Fagan​’s first performances as Verdi’s tragic heroine, Violetta in La traviata for Opera Holland Park, with rave reviews from the press:

“the easy grace of Fagan’s coloratura, the warmth and richness of her sound, and her delicately floated high notes, all make this Violetta a delight” (Independent)

“in Lauren Fagan this new production has a Violetta of considerable force, plangent tones and solid dramatic instincts.” (The Times)

“Fagan, one of today’s finest young sopranos, is exceptional throughout and a superb actor. Her tone blazes with existential defiance and desperation, and she possesses both the agility for act one – Sempre Libera is capped by a dazzling top E flat – and the dramatic weight for the closing scenes.” (The Guardian)

“It is ravishing throughout, with Fagan a scintillating discovery as Violetta. The Australian soprano and former ROH Jette Parker Young Artist comes of operatic age with a performance that demands to be seen”. (What’s On Stage)

“More than just technical precision though, Fagan’s performance embodied Violetta’s tragedy and nobility, phrases soaked with emotion which matched the quality of her acting. Fagan alone makes this production worth seeing.” (Bachtrack)

“Her soprano has real gloss, her coloratura is shaped with expressive grace and her stage presence is gripping.” (Opera Today)