Critical Acclaim in Partenope at ENO Print E-mail
Christine, in a second Handelian triumph, attracts universal critical acclaim as Arsace in English National Opera's new production of Partenope conducted by Christian Curnyn.

"But it was Christine Rice as Arsace who sang an absolute blinder. Handel bestows on him/her a couple of his most ravishing arias, and how beautifully, simply, honestly, she sang them. All’s not fair in love and war. But that’s the fun of it. "
Edward Seckerson, The Independent, 14 October 2008

"It's one of his greatest scores, though, and musically this comes close to perfection. The balance of sympathies lies ultimately with the deluded, anguished Arsace, and Christine Rice gives the performance of a lifetime in the role."
Tim Ashley, The Guardian, 11 October 2008

"One of them [Partenope's suitors] is so outstanding, both in the music (s)he is given, particularly in Act III, and in the performance he gets from Christine Rice, that any competition would seem absurd. Rice is now even creamier of voice than she was in Agrippina, with odd deliberate acid touches to make it still more exciting and, eventually, moving. Quite without intending to, I’m sure, she walks away with the performance.
Michael Tanner, The Spectator, 15 October 2008

"In an evening of sheer musical delight, Christine Rice gives the performance that stays in the mind, for acting as well as singing. As the hungover Arsace, mourning her rejection by Rosmira in the melting aria, 'I go without my heart', she held the entire audience spellbound, at one with her voice."
Clare Colvin, Sunday Express, 12 October 2008

"...but it is Christine Rice's Arsace who makes the greatest impression. Not only does Rice make an utterly convincing man but her celebrated mezzo sounds exquisite, and in ornamental passages she mixes tonal assurance with thrilling risk-taking."
Laura Battle, Music OMH, 10 October 2008

"...Christine Rice and Patricia Bardon, both outstanding as doubly cross-dressed lovers...
Fiona Maddocks, The Evening Standard, 10 October 2008

"Patricia Bardon and Christine Rice both sang with allure and bravura as Arsace and Rosmira - their third-act duet is a highlight
Rupert Christiansen, The Indepdendent, 13 October 2008

"...Christine Rice, in luscious voice...
Richard Morrison, The Times, 11 October 2008

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