Reviews
Rupert Christiansen, The Telegraph
“Catherine Backhouse sings Orestes’ song with such charm that I wished Offenbach had given her more to do.”
Rowena Smith, The Guardian
“Young Scottish Mezzo Catherine Backhouse stands out as a noble, rich-voiced Annina”
Richard Bratby, The Arts Desk
“the whole thing revolved around Catherine Backhouse’s spirited Concepcion. Darting about the stage, eyes flashing, she shaped Ravel’s artfully artless lines with an easy grace and her voice – silvery and translucent at the top – had a core of satisfyingly sultry darkness.”
Alexandra Coghlan, The Arts Desk
“Fortunately there’s some excellent singing, notably from Catherine Backhouse’s powerful, unyielding Kate. Backhouse’s mezzo offers wonderfully even shades all through the register, and her impassioned delivery brought dangerous warmth to James’ fanatical, cold-fish heroine.”
Anna Picard, The Times
“Backhouse’s cherry bright mezzo showed immense promise”
Claire Seymour, Opera Today
“Backhouse’s mezzo was rich and vibrant, full of character and expressively phrased.”
Mark Berry, Boulezian
“Backhouse’s short-notice performance showed her to be an excellent artist, rich of tone and admirably clear of diction.”
Jim Pritchard, Seen and Heard International
“If special mention has to be made it would be for Catherine Backhouse stepping in at the last-minute as an intense and vibrant sounding Ofelia.”
Claire Seymour, Opera Today
“An eloquent, engaging vocal performance… her bright, vibrant sound projected well and had the stamina and diversity of tone required.”
Rupert Christiansen, The Telegraph
“Catherine Backhouse – excellent.”
Margaret Davies, Opera Magazine
“The seductive Orlofsky of Catherine Backhouse exuded aristocratic languor and sang in a mellifluous mezzo-soprano.”
Rupert Christiansen, The Daily Telegraph
“I registered with pleasure… Catherine Backhouse’s vivid stage personality.”
Hilary Finch, The Times
“The beautifully focused mezzo of Catherine Backhouse… is a delight.”
Mark Valencia, Whatsonstage
“Catherine Backhouse (doing what she can with the underwritten role of Hippolyta) makes a notable impression.”
Richard Morrison, The Times
“Backhouse in particular has a vivid stage presence and a rich mezzo timbre.”