Carmen, Opera Pacific

Opera Pacific presented Carmen February 28th, 2007 at Segerstrom Hall in Costa Mesa with Milena Kitic in the title role. Ms. Kitic has made a career of Carmen, and rightly so, as her command of this role isimpressive. She has said she is an intellectual student of the role, that there is always something to learn in every performance. This performance was not a disappointment, Carmen was smoldering and sexy, delivering an outstanding Habanera. There was something very honest in this portrayal, while the fiery temper was evident, there was also an inner strength and self confidence.

Ms. Kitic was in wonderful voice, as always. Her technical mastery of this role was a pleasure to listen to. She managed to resonate clearly in a hall that is far less than ideal for singers.

Sadly, this is to be her last run of performances, as she is retiring to spend time raising her child. The loss is ours.

- Dawn Southwick, Classical Music Broadcast.com, April 2007.

Carmen, Opera Pacific

Kitic's Carmen is a woman full of herself. Her self-regard is expressed by that satisfied smirk on her face and the easy swivel of her hips. She's got kind of a bullying swagger – men don't stand a chance. Kitic doesn't overdo the character's sexiness, as some singers do, rubbing against anything standing still like a cat marking territory. No, Kitic's movements are economical but potent all the same – just watch her dance in Act II – and a nice match with her singing, which is tastefully pointed and elegantly expressive, not dripping with venom or awash in passion. Her Carmen is too confident and supreme for that; she's a kind of female version of Don Giovanni.

Kitic, by the way, has recently said that she would be retiring from opera after this production in order to spend more time with her 5-year-old boy. One can never tell how serious a diva (or divo) is about retiring, but it seems a shame if true (albeit noble). Perhaps we should all run down to this "Carmen" to cheer her on and change her mind.

- Timothy Mangan, OC Register, March 2007.

Carmen, Opera Pacific
Kitic shines in a brilliant 'Carmen'

ONE VERY GOOD reason to go see Opera Pacific's revival of its production of Bizet's "Carmen" is that Milena Kitic, who is singing the starring role of the Gypsy enchantress for maybe the 150th time in her highly successful career, is retiring from the operatic stage after this production closes. Kitic casually announced her retirement from opera in a recent interview in the Press-Telegram. She said she wants to devote herself to raising her son full-time. Since he is just over 5 years old, it may be a decade or more before Kitic returns to opera, if ever, and those who want to see this fiery Carmen for themselves should hurry down to the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa for one last look.

If that news doesn't send you reaching for the phone and your credit card, perhaps this will: this "Carmen" isn't just a star turn. Kitic is wonderful as the Gypsy cigarette girl who drives her lover Don Jose to desertion and murder. She is seductive, magical, lighthearted and stubbornly independent by turn, and sings the role with both tender force and easy familiarity.

- John Farrell, Press-Telegram, March 2007.

The Tales of Hoffmann, Cincinnati Opera Festival

"...Milena Kitic's elegantly acted, sensuous-sounding Giulietta kept up the flow of fine singing."

- Charles H. Parsons, Opera News, October 2006.

The Tales of Hoffmann, Cincinnati Opera Festival

"...The Venetian courtesan Giulietta owns the most famous music in the opera, the “Barcarolle” and Milena Kitic sang it beautifully. She made an unforgettable debut clad in brilliant red with beguiling mezzo tones to match. Exotic in appearance and in vocal intensity, I believe that she could be the Carmen we’ve been waiting for."

- Burt Saidel, The Oakwood Register, August 2006.

The Tales of Hoffmann, Cincinnati Opera Festival

"...Finally, there is his base affair with the dangerously desirable courtesan Giulietta (deliciously sung by celebrated mezzo-soprano Milena Kitic in her Cincinnati Opera debut)."

- Kate Brauer-Bell, Cincinnati CityBeat, July 2006.

The Tales of Hoffmann, Cincinnati Opera Festival

"...Milena Kitic, singing with vocal allure, made a seductive courtesan Giulietta."

- Janelle Gelfand, The Enquirer, July 2006.

Aida, Opera Pacific

"...Milena Kitic, singing better all the time, as Amneris...Kitic turned in a powerful vocal performance, her lows ringing richly, her highs closely focused, her phrasing elegantly disciplined..."

- Timothy Mangan, Opera News, July 2006.

Aida, Opera Pacific

"...The Amneris was Yugoslavian Milena Kitic - she was terrific, and evidently the Met has thought so too, as she will be heard this season in NYC!"

- Opera Warhorses, June 2006.

Aida, Opera Pacific

"... made memorable by the acting and singing of mezzo-soprano, Milena Kitic. ... at the first performance in Orange County's lavish Center for the Performing Arts, the show was stolen out from under her. Mezzo-soprano Milena Kitic's dynamic interpretation of the Pharoah's daughter made us wonder if the opera should not be retitled 'Amneris'. ... it's hardly suprising that Milena Kitic's Amneris became the undisputed star of the evening. The Serbian performer merged a total grasp of the music with a transparent gift for acting that made her character's motivations in Antonio Ghislanzoni's libreto every bit as important as Verdi's melodies."

- www.theatrescope.com, May 2006.

Aida, Opera Pacific

"...Tuesday was not without strong singing. Milena Kitic made a powerful Amneris, the princess who also loves Radames. She may have nibbled on the scenery a bit too much, but that was in keeping with the production, and her rich, velvety tone and ability to portray a depth of emotion meant she dwarfed all around her."

- Mark Swed, LA Times, April 2006.

Aida, Opera Pacific

"...Milena Kitic was the vocally resplendent Amneris, possessed of a rich and mellow low register, unforced volume and closely focused high notes. She sang with elegant discipline."

- -Timothy Mangan, OC Register, April 2006.

Samson and Delilah, Opera Pacific

"...Mezzo-soprano MK provided a properly beautiful Delilah, negotiating the lower depths of the part with the fluid, full tone that became more lustrous as she went into her upper register..."

- Timothy Mangan, OC Register, February 2005.

Falstaff, Los Angeles Opera

"... Of the rest of the cast, the strongest voices seemed to be in the lesser roles. Milena Kitic's Meg Page had the vocal chops to go nose to nose with Terfel, a rich, refulgent mezzo with steely backbone, but she only sings with him in the ensembles...."

- Harvey Steiman, Seen and Heard International Opera Review, 2005.

Samson and Delilah, Opera Pacific

"... Milena Kitic, as Delilah, showed off an arresting, powerful voice. She dominated the stage as a good Delilah should..."

- Chris Pasles, LA Times, February 2005.

Samson and Delilah, Opera Pacific

"....Milena Kitic took the title role of Delilah and made it her own, full and sparkling in tone when that was called for, dark and troubled when she planned the betrayal of Samson, full of almost-charming violence when she sees him blinded and disgraced. Delilah moves through the opera on a downward spiral of growing hatred, and Kitic made the trip almost joyful."

- John Ferrell, Long Beach Magazine and U Daily Bulletin, February 2005.

Carmen, Los Angeles Opera, California

"...We chose to see Milena Kitic, who has donned the dark wig and red skirts of Carmen to flirt with all the great opera houses of Europe, much as Carmen herself seduced the soldiers of Seville. Never mind that she's actually from Belgrade: like Bizet, Kitic has the real sangria. She captures not just the feminine flash, but the genuine likeability of Carmen, who craves freedom even more than she craves men. Kitic can even dance."

- Marc Porter Zasada:, LA Downtown News, The Urban Man, October 2004.

Carmen, Los Angeles Opera, California

"...Opening night at Los Angeles Opera found Milena Kitic (alternating in the role with Catherine Malfitano) making the part her own. A profile in the newspaper had outlined Ms Kitic's previous European successes with the role in modernized productions that featured Carmen as a leather-clad dominatrix. No doubt most of the L.A. audience was relieved to find this production (from the Teatro Real in Madrid) to be sturdily conventional--which is not to say dull. Kitic could hardly be dull in the role no matter what her surroundings. An alluring figure, a strong characterization, and a voice that flowed seamlessly from the burnished velvet of her low tones to the soaring strength of her top made Kitic's Carmen a memorable creation that dominated her every moment on stage."

- Michael Van Duzer, Online Entertainment Magazine, October 2004.

Carmen, Los Angeles Opera, California

"....More important, M. Kitic, who sung Giulietta in Offenbach's "Tales of Hoffman" for LA Opera in 2002, brought a rich, creamy mezzo-soprano and a commanding strength to the title role Friday. She dominated the opera, exactly as Carmen is supposed to do and Bizet had envisioned...."

- Chris Pasles, The Los Angeles Times, October 2004.

Carmen, Baltimore Opera, Maryland

"Milena Kitic brings to the title role, a well-rounded, evenly supported tone and a basically sound technique. There was a consistant spark in her singing and an assurance to her characterization."

- Tim Smith, The Baltimore Sun, May 2004.

Carmen, Baltimore Opera, Maryland

"...What really kept this 'Carmen' going was the sultry and vocally secure presence of Mezzo-Soprano Milena Kitic in the title role. Kitic's approach to the role amounts to saying that Carmen is what she is. When Carmen sings in a first act aria that 'love is a rebellious bird', Kitic's swaggering, self-confident delivery makes it clear that this gypsy has no intention of ending up in a domestic cage. Without trying to make the gypsy either overly sympathetic or too scheming, she gives us a Carmen who seduces Don Jose and prompts this soldier to make a career-threatening decision."

- Mike Giuliano, Patuxent Papers, May 2004.

Carmen, Baltimore Opera, Maryland

"...Carmen , sung by mezzo Milena Kitic, did a great job and was truly believable in her role; she had all of the Carmenesque stances, dances - and even finger cymbals ... Her habanera was performed perfectly."

- Joseph Giannino, www.operaonline.us, May 2004.

La Gioconda, Opera Orchestra of New York, Carnegie Hall, New York City

"...Milena Kitic made more of Laura than most mezzos, singing alternately with elegance and power in her second act aria and two duets."

- Robert Levine, www.classicstoday.com, April 2004.

La Gioconda, Opera Orchestra of New York, Carnegie Hall, New York City

"...Mezzo Milena Kitic's comely appearance matched her appealing personality. Her 'Stella de Marinar' was unusually sensitive."

- Bill Zakariasen, The Westsider, April 2004.

La Gioconda, Opera Orchestra of New York, Carnegie Hall, New York City

"...Singing in a warm mezzo-soprano, Milena Kitic, as Laura, held her own in the love duet with Giordani and rivalry duet with Millo and outshone Luiz-Ottavio Faria, as Alvise, in their dramatic scene. She did not hit the final note of her aria, "Stella del marinar!," dead on, but neatly salvaged it with a diminuendo."

- Bruce Michael Gelbert, www.theatrescene.net, April 2004.

A Concert of Passion & Poetry, Los Angeles Opera, California

"...and excellent contributions from Milena Kitic's Emilia..."

- Mark Swed, The Los Angeles Times, January 2003

Salome, Opera Pacific, California

"...Milena Kitic's Herodias offered the most satisfying, colorfully drawn portrayal of the evening, vocally as well as dramatically."

- Truman C. Wang, Classical Reviews, February 2003.

Les Contes d'Hoffmann, Los Angeles Opera, California

"... and Milena Kitic is a sensually predatory Giulietta."

- Paul Berenson, KDB Radio Santa Barbara 93.7 FM, November 2002.

Les Contes d'Hoffmann, Los Angeles Opera, California

"...Milena Kitic, a mezzo-soprano pushing into soprano territory, is a voluptuously seductive Giulietta in the Venetian act, and it is a pity that the full extent of the Kaye findings were not included in this scene..."

- Mark Swed, The Los Angeles Times, November 2002.

Les Contes d'Hoffmann, Los Angeles Opera, California

"...Milena Kitic's rich, shimmering, almost flinty mezzo soprano made the 'Barcarolle' and the rest of the second act a sumptuous treat. With laid-back sensuality, she convincingly seduced Hoffmann."

- Rick Mortensen, Daily Bulletin, November 2002.

Les Contes d'Hoffmann, Los Angeles Opera, California

"...His second crush is the seductive Venetian siren Giulietta (Milena Kitic), whose mellow voice suits her flaming beauty."

- Laura Hitchcock, Curtain Up, November 2002.

The Barber of Seville, Palm Beach Opera, Florida

"...Milena Kitic, Eboli to Vassalio's Rodrigo in last year's Don Carlo, is Barber's Rosina. This time, Kitic has eyes only for Rockwell Blake as the lovestruck Count Almaviva. Kitic touchingly performs Una voce poco fa. She's also dramatically tender with Blake, their vocal deliveries impressive..."

- Jack Zinc, Sun-Sentinal, April 2000.

The Barber of Seville, Palm Beach Opera, Florida

"...The singing was topnotch: the strongest of the season. The coquettish Rosina was sung by mezzo-soprano Milena Kitic, with charm and a suitable touch of malicious cleverness. Her opening-act aria, Una voce poca fa, showed a full, open rather big voice with a vibrant tone color. She displayed ease and agility as she handled the coloratura passages with authority and grace. Her last-act Contro Un Cor was especially affecting as she sang of her glowing love for Almaviva."

- Robert S. Butler, The News, April 2000.

The Barber of Seville, Palm Beach Opera, Florida

"...mezzo-soprano Milena Kitic personifies the coquettish Rosina, displaying a brilliant coloratura in the process."

- Charles Passy, The Palm Beach Post, April 2000.

The Barber of Seville, Palm Beach Opera, Florida

"...Milena Kitic's lush voice was a bit dark for the part, but she has great technique, and her presence on stage was elegant."

- Earl Cunningham, Palm Beach Daily News, April 2000.

The Barber of Seville, Palm Beach Opera, Florida

"...If you are to believe the adage about when the opera is over, the Palm Beach Opera's Barber of Seville will never end. Just check out Milena Kitic at the Kravis Center tonight, Sunday or Tuesday, and you'll understand why. The trim Yugoslavia-born mezzo-soprano has the pipes - and the looks..."

- Thom Smith, Palm Beach Post, April 2000.

Otello, Carnegie Hall, New York City

"...I would like to hear more of Milena Kitic, who sang Emilia..."

- Brian Kellow, Opera News, September 2000.

La Gioconda, Dorset Opera, Sherbourne, England

"...Belgrade-born Milena Kitic, is a real find, with a voice as golden as her hair. Tall and elegant, she is one of those rare performers whose mere presence on a stage is mesmerizing. The voice is richly textured, with a fine and flexible upper range, and those dark lower notes that you expect from Eastern European singers."

- The Blackmore Vale Magazine, August 1999.

Don Carlo, Palm Beach Opera, Florida

"...Milena Kitic's Eboli was vocally accomplished, with fire and sensitivity in equal balance."

- Tim Smith, Sun-Sentinal, January 1999.

Rigoletto, Festspielhaus Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria

"...Milena Kitic bringt als Maddalena einen warmen, ganz und gar nicht verrucht lasterhaften Ton ein..."

- HL, Salzburger Kronen Zeitung, October 1999.

Rigoletto, Festspielhaus Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria

"... als seine- natürlich retmähnige- Schwester Maddalena spielte Milena Kitic erotisches Kapital aus!"

- Ernst P. Strob, Salzurger Volkszeitung, October 1999.

Carmen, Aalto Theater, Essen, Germany

"...Immerhin hatte das Aalto-Musiktheater mit Milena Kitic eine exzellente Interpretin der Titelpartie anzubieten, die mit ihren blonden Haaren nicht nur hinreissend aussah und sich glaenzend auf der Buehne zu bewegen verstand, sondern ueberdies mit ihrem wunderbar geschmeidigen, hinsichtlich der Register herrlich ausgeglichenen, reichen Mezzo von angenehm sinnlicher Faerbung und gesundem Klang erfreulich nuancenreich und mit viel Mut zum piano gestaltete."

- Thomas Tillmann, Orpheus, July 1998.

Carmen, Aalto Theater, Essen, Germany

"...Carmen (Milena Kitic) ist blonde eine keineswegs eindimensionale Mischung aus ordinaerem Biest und selbstbestimmter Frau. Sie Zeit alle Register als Verfuehrerin, bleibt aber letztlich underchschaubar in ihrer seltsamen Ambiwalenz von Leichtfertchkeit und Tragik. Kitic singt mit herrlich runder, aber ueberaus praezis und klar gefeuerter Stimme. Sie gurrt und wispert, schreit und schmeichelt und spricht die Dialoge mit erfrischend undaengerischem lapidarem Ton..."

- Regine Mueller, Rheinische Post, April 1998.

Carmen, Aalto Theater, Essen, Germany

"...das hervoragende Orchesterspiel und die in jeder Beziehung blendende Carmen der Milena Kitic lohnen einen Besuch."

- Ulrich Schreiber, Handelsblatt, April 1998.

Carmen, Aalto Theater, Essen, Germany

"...Applaus fuer die als Entdeckung gefeierte Carmen - Darstellerin Milena Kitic."

- MaS, NRZ- Neue Ruhr Zeitung, April 1998.

Carmen, Aalto Theater, Essen, Germany

"...Schade für Milena Kitic in der Titelrolle, die mit ihren stimmlichen Qualitäten und ihrem sinnlichen Charisma eine kollegialere Behandlung verdient hätte."

- Pedro Obiera, Westfälischer Anzeiger, April 1998.

Carmen, Aalto Theater, Essen, Germany

"...Herausragend: Milena Kitic als Carmen mit schoenem satten Mezzo..."

- Konrad Pohlmann, Opern-Premiere, March 1998.

Carmen, Aalto Theater, Essen, Germany

"...Wie immer gab es auch einen ersten musikalischen Vorgeschmack: Als Carmen begeisterte Milena Kitic mit der berühmten Habanera."

- AM, Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung Essen, March 1998.

Carmen, Aalto Theater, Essen, Germany

"...Es gibt freilich auch eine bemerkenswerte Carmen-Sängerin, die, obwohl auch die vm Regisseur gnadenlos "ausgebeutet" wird, sich überzeugend im Zentrum bewegte: Milena Kitic. Eine blonde Carmen, die kühles Feuer verströmt und Sinnlichkeit mit Stimm-Bravour gleichsetzt. Dennoch, Milena Kitic ist die Entdeckung des Abends. Von einem wissenden Regisseur geleitet, würde in ihr mit Sicherheit eine Weltklasse-Carmen heranreifen."

- Johannes K. Glauber, NRZ- Neue Ruhr Zeitung, March 1998.

Carmen, Aalto Theater, Essen, Germany

"...Stark ist die blonde Carmen von Milena Kitic, die ihre makellose Stimme so bewundernswert geschmeidig und schlank einsetzt, als wolle sie ein Lied singen..."

- Michael Stenger, Westdeutsche Allgemmeine, March 1998.

Carmen, Aalto Theater, Essen, Germany

"...Die Entdeckung des Abends ist aber Milena Kitic in der Titlpartie (Carmen). Die Blonde Belgraderin, die durch einen runden warmen Mezzosopran besticht, entwichelt sich von der zurueckhaltenden Fabrikarbeiterin zu einer freiheitsliebenden Megaere. Intelligent dosiert sie Emotionen, mutiert neimals zur Furie, sondern bleibt die starke Frau, die keine Fesseln duldet, auch nicht die der Liebe."

- Michael-Georg Müller, Westfaelische Rundschau, March 1998.