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It was a performance to which she brought layers of emotional expression; she was uneasy, she was terrified and combative, hysterical and reflective, suffered shame and misplaced guilt, yet it was all perfectly placed and never descended into cliché. Ignata’s has a flexible, colorful mezzo-soprano with bright piercing top notes and is secure under pressure, all of which made her well-suited to the role.
The scene in which Lucretia relates the events of the night before to her husband, beginning «To love as we loved» was particularly strong; weaving subtly and carefully crafted phrases Irina Ignata captured her deep sadness and disembodied state perfectly as she reflected on her love for Collatinus and her shame of being abused.