“Understudy Cara McLeod, whose bio didn’t appear in the program, replaced Miriam Khalil as the vindictive, but still malleable Donna Elvira, and her performance was both theatrically and musically effective.”
“Soprano Cara McLeod offers a reliable, clean performance. Annina’s interactions are primarily recitative and McLeod navigates it cleanly and confidently to ensure the conversational banter remains natural.”
— Oliver Munar, Schmopera, La Traviata, Edmonton Opera
“Cara McLeod has a strong performance as Micaëla, faithful, yet jilted by Don Jose. Brown’s solo performance Sunday was one of the best of the afternoon. Her voice beautifully depicted the anguish of loss”
“McLeod stood out musically in the great ensemble that ends Act I, and then demonstrated how much more depth there is to Rossini’s work in her solo in Act II.”
“Cara McLeod’s portrayal of the spurned Donna Elvira...stopped short of becoming unsympathetic...audiences will certainly hear more from her in the near future”
“A special word must go to Edmonton soprano Cara McLeod as Donna Elvira. She stepped in as an understudy during rehearsals...she pulled it off with a convincing character portrayal, vocally and theatrically”
“Cara McLeod has a strong performance as Micaëla; faithful, yet jilted by Don José. Brown’s solo performance Sunday was one of the best of the afternoon. Her voice beautifully depicted the anguish of loss.”
“And as for McLeod, Spassov [Michael Spassov; Artistic Administrator of Edmonton Opera] adds, ‘She sings an incredible solo in the Consecration Scene, a hymn to the ancient Egyptian god Phthah. Cara has a high purity of sound and a statuesque bearing that make her perfect for that role.’ ”