Micaela in CARMEN - Metropolitan Opera New York, February 2019
Alagna’s wife Aleksandra Kurzak is one of the best sopranos of her generation and she brought considerable charm, warmth, exquisite phrasing and a purity of tone to Micaëla, the girl from Don José’s village, whose love for him never stands a chance once Carmen – as here – ‘stabs’ him to the heart with her flower. Her second act ‘Je dis que rien ne m’épouvante’ was a highlight of this Carmen and those who see and hear this compelling artist’s first Cio-Cio-Sans soon in Napoli will be in for a treat, and surely it cannot be too long before Kurzak’s role debut as Tosca. Roberto Alagna and Aleksandra Kurzak Lift Richard Eyre’s Met Opera Carmen Revival to Another Level - Jim Pritchard for Seen and Heard International
The smooth tone of Aleksandra Kurzak, the roundness of her top notes, the splendor of her piani immediately seduce the ear. Her "Je dis ue rien ne m’épouvante" is one of the most beautiful and moving rendition we have heard. As for her French, it seemed to us quite intelligible. Opposite Carmen, this Micaëla lacked neither aplomb nor strong character. Christian Peter, Forumopera.com
Aleksandra dazzled with her purity of tone and beautiful timbre of voice, and drew the most prolonged applause of the night after her phenomenal "Je dis que rien ne m'épouvante." A++” Luiz Gazzola, Opera Lively
Aleksandra Kurzak gave an endearing performance as José’s forsaken fiancée. Her account of the aria was richly crafted, showing a timid woman finding her courage in a moment of crisis. - Eric C. Simpson, www.newyorkclassicalreview
All that can be embedded with "just" a beautiful voice and art of singing has been shown by 41-year-old Polish soprano Aleksandra Kurzak. She debuted at the Met as Olympia in 'The Tales of Hoffmann' 14 years ago. She sang everything from the 'Queen of the Night' in 'The Magic Flute' to Desdemona in 'Otello', but to admire her, her Saturday's Micaëla is well enough. Humble and pure as a peasant who comes to the city for the first time, she brings "Carmen" kindness and chastity, which usually have no place in the midst of all these demons. After her aria, she got the greatest applause of the evening. - Jiří Černý for Magazín Aktuálně
Aleksandra Kurzak is a very touching Micaëla, as soon as her duet with Don José in the first act, acclaimed by the audience. She then offers a very theatrical rendition of "Je dis que rien ne m'épouvante" in the third act. The clarity of her high notes impresses and her clearly articulated vocal line is supported by a well controlled breath that allows her to issue both fragile and intense piani. - Jeanne Auffret for Ôlyrix
From the start, the beautiful duo 'Parle moi de ma mère' by Aleksandra Kurzak and Roberto Alagna fascinates. A beautiful and harmonious pianissimo in 'O Souvenirs du Pays' is a wonderful illustration of the soprano's fine voice and of her partner's talents. [...] Even if Micaëla appears in only 2 acts (Act I and III) in Bizet's opera, Aleksandra Kurzak stole the heart of the audience. Her grace and elegant simplicity, exquisite phrasing, as well as the purity of each of her notes allowed the viewers to appreciate all of Micaëla's love, courage and charm. Thanks to her acting skills and top-class professionalism, as well as her emotional attitude towards her heroine, the artist manages to render and give a fresh look to the character she embodies on stage. The nuances, power and depth of her soprano voice arouse the admiration and inspire the listeners’ imagination. - Anna Czajkowska for e-teatr.pl