Renata Babak
Reviews
As her best is, in my opininon, one of the supreme operatic artists in the world. Renata Babak is the type of personality one may encounter but once in a lifetime - a great voice combines with physical beauty and a courageous, indomitable spirit. The Babak's voice, whether in opera of the West or of her native land (Ukraine) goes straight to the heart of the listener, this listener included
George London
One a good night Renata Babak, formerly of the Bolshoi Opera and now teaching at the Washington Conservatory has one of the world's great mezzo-soprano voices. One of the most exciting voices of our time, her voice is both big and sweet, tremendously poweful and superbly controlled in its upper rergister. She had it last night a recital in St.Matthew's Cathedral. She was totally opulent, dramatically potent and stylistically precise.
Babak's basic voice is one of exceptiona; beauty, more than watching her handsome, platinum-blonde appearance.
New York Post
Ms.Babak possesses a depth, richness and power those draw you to her almost from the first note.The surprising unconstrained fullness of her voice, along with sureness and purity of its vibrato, filled the hall and caused an involuntary yielding of total attention.
One cannot escape the feeling that this is the joyous sound from the heart of a complete woman. The comfort she exhibited in her extensive vocal range was truly impressive. Her beautifully balanced repertoire varied over arias and songs in five languages.
Theodore W. Libbey, Jr., Washington Star
Babak's Ulrica (The masked Ball) gave the part electrifying dimensions. She continues to be an artist to seize your attention.
Sunday Journal, Providence
But none suited her as well as the group of Italian and French arias which showed of the phenomenal technique and dramatic potential of her voice. Miss. Babak's voice combines so many opposing factors-power and fantastic legato; beautiful mellow chest notes, formidable coloratura agility and a shining, ringing upper register. The last four arias, all dramatic ( from La Favorita, Cavalleria Rusticana, La Gioconda and Don Carlos) were an escalade in excitement. Her singing of Princess Eboli's rejection, anguish, despair and mounting terror nearly had me out of my seat.
The Montreal Star
Yet for all the dramatic vocal power at her command, Miss Babak always managed to cast a poetic temper over whaterever she sang, fron operatic aria to art song. She is fine and sensitive stylist, full lyric grace. Miss.Babak is a singer of great emotional intensity. She sang the heart and soul out of everything. As an interpreter of Falla she can combine the same elegance along with a full-throated flamenco flourish.
Hartford Courant
Mezzo-sprano Renata Babak , formerly of the Bolshoi Opera gave a magnificent portrayal of Santuzza.
Her version of "Voi il sapete, omamma" was powerful, ecpecially when she articulated those husky low notes 'iopiango, io piango'. Babak enhanced her singing with excellently-timed stage movement all the way up to the chaotic, precipitious final curtain of Mascagni's one act masterpiece.
Washington Star
In the sheer power and coloristic potential she commands, and in the ease with which she can handle an audience, Babak has unmistakable star quality.
Boston Globe
