Photo by Katya Chilingiri (c) 2007    Stacey Mastrian, soprano
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"Stacey Mastrian was both versatile and passionate in her interpretation of this filigree soprano-part..."

Matthias Nikolaidis, Der Tagesspiegel, September 23, 2007 (transl. Bettina Matthias)

"The performance was of great quality and captivated the listener: even in the highest ranges, Stacey Mastrian’s effortless mastery of intonation was coupled with her ravishingly tender and flowing soprano voice..."  

– Liesel Markowski, Neues Deutschland, Sept. 2007 (transl. Bettina Matthias)

"Very impressive, the American soprano Stacey Mastrian sang with tremendous ease and beauty."  

– Wolfgang Fuhrmann, Berliner Zeitung, September 24, 2007

"Both singers were admirable, mastering their almost impossible parts.  Especially Stacey Mastrian stood out as she displayed her impressive range in her partially unaccompanied solos."

Andreas Göbel, Kulturradio am Morgen, September 22, 2007(transl. Bettina Matthias)

"If you want a comfy and lively evening of well recognized wit, whimsy and pleasing voices, then take in the Washington Savoyard’s The Pirates of Penzance...a core group of competent professionals... principals who have the chops to effortlessly reach some surprisingly high soprano notes...and all this with smiles on their faces and nary a missed lyric or off key adventure. ...energetic cast.... With featured performances by Stacey Mastrian (Mabel)...this is a pleasant visit to another time and place.... High audience expectations are met with this production of Pirates. Director Klewin has a solid group of experienced featured actors who can sing and act at the same time.... In the featured roles, Stacey Mastrian is a marvel at hitting the highest soprano notes without a crack or a creek and with nary a need to gasp for breath. She is delightfully coy with a coquettish aura in her facial and body presentations."

– David Siegel, potomacstages.com, February 26, 2008

"The Washington Savoyards get a positive "10" for their sparkling production of the "Pirates of Penzance" at the Atlas Theater. Every musical number was a joy to watch with the wonderful comic interpretations.... The leads Matthew Lloyd Smith and Stacey Mastrian are of excellent tenor and soprano voices.... This production is so well done it deserves full houses for every performance. It is highly recommended for 150 minutes of sheer joy...."

– Bob Anthony, allartsreview4u.com, February 2008

"In the supporting roles of Armide's confidante[s] and others, Stacey Mastrian contributed a sweet, shimmering soprano...."

Ronni Reich, The Washington Post, Saturday, April 21, 2007

"The Summer Opera Theatre's 'Rigoletto'...a cast that is strong...singing and acting talent….As Gilda, Stacey Mastrian has a voice that is sweet and agile with just the right hint of fragility."

Joseph McLellan, The Washington Post, Tuesday, July 12, 2005

"As Gilda, soprano Stacey Mastrian turned in an exquisitely etched performance, unveiling delicate, silvery tones and pinpoint accuracy."

– T.L. Ponick, The Washington Times, July 16, 2005

"Rigoletto at the Summer Opera at Hartke Theater is astoundingly performed….The performances of the cast, as a whole, were wonderful.  Not only were the voices clear and gorgeous...the performances were also well acted.  It was a pleasure to see a cast really getting into the roles.  Miss Mastrian, in her first professional role, gave a crystal clear, warm and resonant rendering.  She thrilled the audience totally.  Jason Stearns had a huge and beautiful baritone that filled the entire building at times and not just the theater.  Remember these names, they are certain to be heard of many times in the future.  Yes, it was a memorable and most satisfying production."

Nancy McCord, Freelance Arts Critic, July 2005

“…a fantastic Rigoletto at the Summer Opera Theater at Catholic U.….The principals' voices were all quite powerful and very attractive….Stacey Mastrian, a doctoral student in voice at the University of Maryland, made a fetching Gilda.  Although not yet in the same league as the Met's Gilda of choice, Ruth Ann Swenson, she handled Gilda's difficult music with apparent ease.  Her ‘Caro Nome’ was excellent….This show far exceeded productions I have seen from much larger companies.”

– http://www.OPERA-L.org, July 14, 2005

"Stacey Mastrian had me rapt with Mimi's introduction from La Bohème (which, given my devotion to La Freni, is saying something), and her technique was all but flawless in the doll's aria from The Tales of Hoffman."

– Review of A Fatal Song or The Great Opera Murders (Maryland Opera Studio); Trey Graham, The Washington City Paper, December 12-18, 2003

"Soprano Stacey Mastrian (Julie) was lovely in the work's one true aria."

– Review of the world premiere of the opera Clara; T.L. Ponick, The Washington Times, May 3, 2004

"And who can resist Stacey Mastrian's dollish flapper girl smile?- a truly loveable coquette who carries some vocally difficult numbers with an enthusiastic ease."

– Review of Die Fledermaus, set in the 1920's; Tamara Weaver, Tower, November 1999

"...performances by...Stacey Mastrian as Sidonie and Lucinde are accomplished."

– Review of Gluck's Armide (Opera Lafayette/Maryland Opera Studio); Karren LaLonde Alenier, The Dresser, April 21, 2007

"...Stacey Mastrian as the Dew Fairy...provided ample support."

– Review of Hansel and Gretel (Bel Cantanti); Cecelia Porter, The Washington Post, Monday, October 24, 2005

"All of the voices were good....Three were making their first appearances with the company and will certainly be welcomed for return engagements: sopranos Millicent Scarlett and Stacey Mastrian, and mezzo Michelle Rice."

– Review of A Fatal Song or The Great Opera Murders (Opera Theatre of Northern Virginia); Joseph McLellan, The Washington Post, May 23, 2005


Click here to access the July 25, 2004 Baltimore Sun Profile article about Ms. Mastrian.


Mabel and Frederic almost kiss.  Photo copyright (c) 2008 Chris Mueller.