Rachel Willis-Sorensen: Csardas from Die Fledermaus by J. Strauss

For almost 40 years, the Richard Tucker Award has been granted to an American singer poised on the edge of a major national and international career, with a list of winners that reads like a who's who of American opera stars, including Renée Fleming, Stephanie Blythe, Lawrence Brownlee, Matthew Polenzani and Christine Goerke.

[@Aneta_Skarzynski]

This`s a wonderful and big voice!

[@jacksmith7441]

She is a GREAT singer - I would have given her the Tucker Award over Sierra any day of the week. Yes, I acknowledge that the high-D at the end of this aria wasn’t totally secure/settled. Who cares? She has a gorgeous voice, beautiful artistry, charm, and panache. They probably just should have avoided the Csardas for her on this program and gone with a Mozart gal instead (Fiordiligi, Donna Anna, or Elettra would have highlighted her gifts perfectly). Go watch her sing Rusalka - stunning vocalism and deeply moving. Don’t get me wrong - Sierra is a lovely singer and a beautiful woman (which sadly seems to trump everything else in opera these days), but I often find her to be self indulgent in her music making. And, some unusual tuning issues are creeping into her singing these days. My vote is for Rachel Willis-Sorensen to be the next Tucker Award Winner.

[@wotan10950]

Jack Smith I think Christian Horn was the most recent winner, a great bass-baritone for a change, and he’s extraordinary. I saw his recent Mefistofele.

[@ploplisphilin]

A beautifully distinctive voice rather than the usual generic plain variety we hear so often today. Wish her luck!

[@lorenztanner6123]

Congratulations for this performance!

[@albireadingromance]

I love her, and this aria. So fun!

[@Homoclassicus]

How refreshing to hear full-voice singing that doesn't sound uncontrolled nor wiry, a dramatic voice that is not a hooty and closed sound, and such solid technique that she is able to sing in a fearless and vivacious way as if this were easy! Yes, the last high note was flawed, but the rest was top notch.

[@draganvidic2039]

Homoclassicus Last note should not be a long one. This shows why.

[@wotan10950]

Dragan Vidic That’s true, it’s written as an upward portamento to high-D, but some of the more famous coloraturas like Sutherland and Anderson hold the note all summer long!

[@Ivonnemanriquezsoprano]

Qué hermosa voz 😍

[@delibeslakme6451]

Que belleza de VOZ!!!!!

[@09lohengrin]

Best Cardas ever sung by RWS in Dresden 2018!

[@draganvidic2039]

She is very good

[@PeggySteiner]

❤❤❤

[@wotan10950]

Really very good! My only quibble is the downward minor scale 2:21, which was a bit ungainly, but all the rest was very good indeed.

[@mckaymi4]

Did they credit the accompanist?

[@shin-i-chikozima]

I was impressed so as to feel dizzy . Is any more soprano possible ？

[@excelsior999]

I think that everyone watching and listening to this video should be aware that when WQXR (the "non-commercial" radio station that has commercials) holds a Fundraising Drive imploring listeners to save the station the contributions that are collected do not go to WQXR but go, rather, into the general operating fund of its parent company, WNYC, which uses the money to support 4 public radio stations in NJ, the $900.000 annual salary (+ benefits) of the president of WNYC, and whatever else WNYC wants to spend it on? I think that this is misleading, deceptive and wrong. I have let my opinion on this matter be known to both stations without receiving any satisfactory response. I am considering contacting the FCC and WQXR's sponsors (which they refer to as their "supporters") to complain about this dishonest practice.

[@evakiseleva8570]

Is it really her repertoire? New Year's Dresden gala was even worse

[@doGreatartistsgrowontrees]

Here is how the Czardas is done: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3WwmmiPfa2ke7M

[@cadoh8143]

Voz magnífica, mas interpretação duvidosa.

[@mattyd3079]

Lovely voice… but this performance is a bit of mess for me. The voice seems forced and too dark for this. She lightens off a bit in the coloratura towards the end, which is a relief, and easier on the ears. I also am not sure the piano playing is really connecting with the singer. Seems a bit all over the place.

[@cksskw2607]

Great voice… but it’s really great vocalize?? I don’t like her vowels🫤

[@dougbarker3019]

A shame that such a competent singer has to play for such cheap cabaret-style laughs.

[@Wotan123456789]

Good voice but a unelegant performance of this aria.