Allyson captivates in Toronto as Dejanira Handel’s Hercules with Tafelmusik!

“…particular kudos go to Toronto mezzo Allyson McHardy, who dazzled as Dejanira. McHardy’s voice is pure, fragrant, dark buckwheat honey – just the ticket for a particularly demanding role. Paired with dramatically riveting and technically impeccable renditions of Handel’s bravura arias for a character walking the tightrope between sanity and madness, this mezzo captivated from the moment she sang her first note.” (Toronto Star, 19 January 2012)

“The Toronto mezzo-soprano Allyson McHardy was clearly the prima donna as Dejanira: warm, intense and a subject of real interest despite the conventional outpouring of passions.” (National Post, 20 January 2012)

“Top vocal honours went to mezzo Allyson McHardy as Dejanira. Hers is a genuine low mezzo bordering on a lyric contralto, with a timbre that brings to mind the excellent contralto Nathalie Stutzmann, but McHardy has a stronger, more solid upper extension, a rare attribute for a low voice. Dejanira has the most music to sing, and McHardy dispatched everything with technical ease, intensity and expression. Particularly memorable was her Act 3 Scene 3 aria with its bravura passages – McHardy’s performance here was a tour de force.” (La Scena Musicale, 21 January 2012)

“Hercules may be the title character, but the show really centres on Dejanira. McHardy’s voice has only grown darker, stronger and more lustrous over time. …she gave a gorgeous account of “Begone, my fears, fly hence, away” and made the mad scene “Where shall I fly? Where hide this guilty head?” so thrilling that the audience, trained not to applaud after every number, broke that rule thunderously to acclaim her.” (Stage Door, 21 January 2012)