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Reviews
Eugene Onegin, Grange Park Opera
"Olga made her mark with winning confidence as performed by Caryl Hughes, who placed Olga's flirtatious foibles with precision and who also has a usefully sexy lower register". classicalsource.com
"Olga's (Caryl Hughes) delightful coquettish nature" British Theatre Guide
"[Lensky and Olga]..expertly matched and stylishly sung" Opera Now
Dream Hunter, Lontano Ensemble
"Caryl Hughes makes the greatest impression as unambitious housewife Angela. Her beautifully sung soliloquy has a powerful sincerity which none of the others match". The Stage
"Caryl Hughes had the big number - she sang it movingly. [Her] singing passed with honours the close vocal scrutiny that Wilton's Music Hall imposes". Opera
"..an outstanding performance by the mezzo, Caryl Hughes..This is a singer who really inhabits each role. She sings with great assurance, excellent technique, and can act with both her voice and her face". Opera Britannia
"Angela [was] movingly sung by Caryl Hughes". The Times
Eisteddfod Genedlaethol 2011, Wrecsam
"'Roedd 'na berfformiadau arbennig iawn gan y gantores Caryl Hughes a'i pherfformiad o Edith Wynne yn wefreiddiol". bbc.co.uk/cymru
The Italian Girl in London, Bampton Opera
"Caryl Hughes as the hotel owner Madama Brillante..is excellent". Sheffield Telegraph
"the piece was stolen by Caryl Hughes' Madama Brillante, [she] added effortless comic assurance to her portfolio, singing with focus and great technique". Opera Now
Rusalka, Grange Park Opera
"Caryl Hughes as number one makes an impact with her seductive third act solo". theartsdesk.com
Fantastic Mr Fox, English Touring Opera
"the second act.. its high point being Rita Rat's aria, a tour de force from Caryl Hughes". Evening Star
"Rita Rat's set-piece..ably sung by Caryl Hughes." The Stage
".. Special mention to Caryl Hughes whose characterization of Rita the Rat was one of the highlights of the night.. Her dance was brilliant, her stage business excellent." Opera Britannia
"I particularly enjoyed Caryl Hughes' turn as a drunken lady rat." The Telegraph
Sonya's Story, tete-a-tete Festival, Riverside Studios
"Caryl Hughes.. a tour de force, singing and acting with terrific commitment and passion." Opera
"Two superb young singers carried the work.. Caryl Hughes as Sonya, on stage throughout and portraying with total conviction those Chekhovian qualities of self-doubt, unrequited love and the quest for a meaningful existence." The Independent
"Sonya was played by the excellent young mezzo-soprano Caryl Hughes, whose lovely singing, musicianship and acting carried the full momentum of the opera throughout.." Musical Pointers
"Caryl Hughes played Sonya with great sympathy, reflecting the simple, unsophisticated girl she is.. Her singing was beauitfully varied to fit the mood.." remotegoat.co.uk
La Cenerentola, Iford Festival Opera
"The deepest impression was made by Caryl Hughes in the title role. Her expressive mezzo is judiciously weighted throughout the range and most musically used, both in terms of tonal colouring and the finesse of her fioriture. She was a pert stage presence, using her eyes to dramatic effect, but just as noteworthy was her combination of stamina and sensible pacing. Cenerentola's final showcase aria can be a stumbling-block not just for the singer but for the whole opera, yet Hughes blossomed at just the right time, yet without any feeling of having stinted on the way." Opera
"Caryl Hughes as the heroine gives a scorching all-round performance of forceful, pinpoint singing and brilliantly centred acting.. The cavorting roulades of Hughes's final rondo were pure adrenaline and joy; this was something special." The Tablet
"Caryl Hughes gave a feisty account of the title role, fluent in her coloratura with her small frame packing a big punch." Opera Now
"Caryl Hughes sang warmly as an endearing Cenerentola.." The Daily Telegraph
"..the compelling performance of Caryl Hughes.. and her electric chemistry with Carlos Nogueira's Prince ..the remarkable singer-actress's pain and confusion were tangible." This Is Dorset
Katya Kabanova, Scottish Opera
"Most attractive of all are Caryl Hughes' Cupid-like Varvara and Simon Buttle's bumbling Tikhon." Financial Times
“Caryl Hughes’ bubbly, carefree Varvara..” The Guardian
“..Varvara [was] splendidly sung by Caryl Hughes..” Opera Britannia
“..endearing performances by Caryl Hughes as Varvara and Ben Thapa.. they are the brighter couple.” The Scotsman
Christmas Oratorio, Sheffield Cathedral
“..the quality voice belonged to mezzo-soprano Caryl Hughes, whose singing had individuality..” Sheffield Telegraph
Pelléas et Mélisande, Independent Opera
“Caryl Hughes’ Yniold [was] excellent.” The Daily Telegraph
“Caryl Hughes as the child Yniold cleverly whitened her voice.. and was convincing as the innocent boy vaguely troubled by what he observes around him.” Opera Today
“Caryl Hughes was charming and convincing as the young Yniold.. and the scene in which Yniold sits on Golaud’s shoulders was truly terrifying, thanks to the fine interaction between Hughes and Foster-Williams.” Music and Vision
Cinderella, Scottish Opera
“Hughes makes for a beguiling Cinderella, singing beautifully and acting with aplomb.” The Scotsman
“Hughes’ Cinderella.. her regal transformation and final set piece are magnificent.” The Guardian
Kathleen Ferrier Prize, Wigmore Hall
“The mezzo, Caryl Hughes, had a bite in her tone in Handel’s Svegliatevi nel core, produced a well poised high note in Obradors’s Del cabello más sutil and sang his El vito with élan.” classicalsource.com
The Enchanted Pig, Young Vic Theatre / The Opera Group
“Welsh singer/actress Caryl Hughes is amazing. She is a slim, petite brunette who has a pure mezzo-soprano voice and real acting ability. That is as rare a combination as a man who spends his days as a pig wallowing in mud.” British Theatre Guide
“The splendid, vibrantly voiced Caryl Hughes…” The Independent
“Caryl Hughes is a captivating delight throughout and magnificently capable of both the dramatic and comedic elements her role encompasses. Startlingly beautiful and overflowing with energy and operatic brilliance, Hughes is a masterful casting decision.” reviewsgate.com
“Caryl Hughes's single-minded, and very well sung Flora flies through the air …” The Guardian
“Caryl Hughes makes a spunky and determined heroine.” theatreguidelondon.co.uk
“Caryl Hughes’ sweet-voiced heroine really does fly.” Mail on Sunday
“Flora herself is enchantingly played and sung by Caryl Hughes.”
whatsonstage.com
“Caryl Hughes makes a plucky heroine who displays unconditional love without sentimentality.”
The Daily Telegraph