Updates Friday June 1, 2012 Essential Opera's Production of 'Alcina' Reviewed The ensemble was framed by Essential Opera's founders, sopranos Erin Bardua and Maureen Batt. As 'Morgana', Maureen quickly displayed immense range, strong dramatic skills and exceptional comic ability with a dazzling performance of ''O s'apre al riso'. Her crystalline bell-like tones soared through the space of the Steinmann Mennonite Church as she subtly passed the fun she was having to audience and set the tone for the evening. Her portrayal defined the character as the centrepiece who actually starts most of the trouble the rest of the characters get into. … Read the Full Review Wednesday May 30, 2012 Essential Opera: Question and Answer with Erin Bardua and Maureen Batt Maureen: The Mozart was an obvious choice for us. When we started planning season two, we picked Alcina for a spring production and realized that we could prepare something for the fall as well. When programming our seasons, we’re largely basing our choices on the singers we’ve heard in auditions; and, we’re interested in presenting works that we deem essential—either a pillar operatic work like Figaro and Alcina or an essential composer like Massenet. We also plan to do new works at some point in the future, because it’s essential that opera keep growing and changing … … Read the Interview This line is a spacer. | 
