In Zurich as in Aix-en-Provence, a dream Pamina. Tender without sentimentality, limpid without harshness, musician of every second
Diapason, 01-2-2022
This is my first occasion listening to Mari Eriksmoen, but I will be watching for her recordings in the future. I am captivated by her purity of vocal tone and magically mellifluous coloratura.
Positive Feedback, 13-12-2021
Jan Willem de Vriend and the Stavanger Symphony Orchestra provide a lively, alert orchestral accompaniment in partnership with Eriksmoen. The Stavanger is one of Scandinavia's most successful orchestras, performing its concerts in the Stavanger Concert Hall (site of this recording) which is considered one of the best concert halls in Europe. The sound quality is exceptional. Another outstanding recording from independent producer and recording engineer Bert van der Wolf, Northstar Recordings.
Positive Feedback, 13-12-2021
This disc of Handel and Mozart arias and overtures is an enjoyable way to spend 71 minutes, but leaves one wanting more than we get here.
American Record Guide, 13-10-2021
Mari Eriksmoen uses her voice with acrobatic flexibility, but at the same time her interpretations are well-thought-out and rich in detail. Eriksmoen impresses with the expression of her voice. Thanks to the colorful and dynamic voice, the arias of Mozart and Heandel performed by Eriksmoen sound dramatic and moving.
Cooltura, 02-7-2021
... she is a star here. Pamina's 'ach, ich fühl's' doesn't quite touch the heart until the very end, but the other items are exemplary. [...] Jan Willem de Vriend and the Stavanger Symphony Orchestra do a good job overall. Forget the less than perfect presentation and enjoy the top-drawer singing.
Gramophone, 01-5-2021
The Norwegian soprano (who appears as Zerlina, Fiordiligi and Susanna in Nikolaus Harnoncourt’s recently-released cycle of the Mozart/Da Ponte operas) sings arias from Idomeneo, Don Giovanni, Die Zauberflöte, Mitridate and Mozart’s arrangements of Messiah and Acis and Galatea, plus excerpts from Handel’s Silla, Joshua, Teseo, and Giulio Cesare; her singing here was described as ‘top-drawer’ in this month’s edition of Gramophone.
Presto, 30-4-2021
But the focus, after all, is Mari Eriksmoen’s voice, and it is superb. The natural grace of the light, agile and confident soprano voice, the cultivated declamation and the fresh liveliness, but also the often moving empathy of her singing show a singer who, far from all effects, fully convinces with a stylistically confident musicality.
Pizzicato, 15-2-2021
Press
The profile of Norwegian soprano Mari Eriksmoen continues to rise through her regular appearance on Europe’s major opera, concert and recital stages, and she is consistently praised for her compelling blend of radiant stage personality and purity of vocal tone.
This is her first opera arias recital and is focused on Handel and Mozart.
Previously on disc, Eriksmoen features on Schumann’s Szenen aus Goethes Faust with Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks under Daniel Harding, Mozart’s Die Entführung aus dem Serail, both with Akademie für alte Musik Berlin under René Jacobs and Glyndebourne Festival conducted by Robin Ticciati, and in a “poised, elegant and persuasive” (Guardian) debut recital disc featuring songs by Grieg, Grøndahl, Wolf and Strauss with Alphonse Cemin (Alpha).