Princess Eboli (Don Carlo), The Witch (Hansel and Gretel), Therese (Therese Raquin), Maddalena (Rigoletto), Angelina (Cenerentola), Baronessa (The Italian Straw Hat), Presiozilla (La Forza del Destino)
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“…and one mezzo on a hydrolic lift, outfitted within a fourteen-foot –tall Witch puppet built by the Jim Henson company. (Dressed in red and purple satin, this is surely the most voluptuous puppet that has ever been created.) Jessie Raven’s voice and characterization were thrilling as she glided across the stage, thighs and bosom undulating.”
– Opera News Online“In the first act, mezzo-soprano Jessie Raven, in the role of Princess Eboli, showed off her exotic singing skills in the 'Veil Song,' a Moorish tail of deception. Her third-act duet with Queen Elisabetta and her confession aria, in which she admits plotting against the queen, were fantastic. The two voices beautifully crossed ranges.”
– The Star Bulletin“Jessie Raven (Princess Eboli) delivered a powerful rival…she excelled in her Act III passions.”
– The Honolulu Advertiser“Jessie Raven makes a seductively nasty Witch.”
-Clive Barnes, New York Post
“And as the wicked child-eating witch, Jessie Raven was positively lurid. Appearing late in the performance, she sang the show-stopping role with maniacally voluptuous tones. They was no denying that she possessed the seductive cackle and evil glimmer to bring her mosterous character to life.”
-AJ Goldmann, The New York Feuilleton
“Most imposing: Jessie Raven as the plangently sinister socialite.”
-Martin Bernheimer, Financial Times
“Maddalena is the mezzo Jessie Raven, who cunningly delivers all the voluptuousness that the role requires. Good voice and attractive physique manage to call the attention continuously, without any timidity or inhibitions.”
-Ximena Sepulveda, Pro Opéra (translated from Spanish) (Connecticut Opera)
“Jessie Raven portrayed a marvelously sensual Maddalena.”
-Ruth O. Bingham, The Honolulu Advertiser (Hawaii Opera Theater)
“As Maddalena, mezzo Jessie Raven was rich-toned and aptly slatternly.”
-Lawrence A. Johnson, Sun-Sentinel, South Florida (Palm Beach Opera)
“Maddalena, who lures Sparafucile’s victims (including the Duke) to their remote inn, was played with snake-like sexuality by American mezzo-soprano Jessie Raven.”
-Earl Cunningham, Palm Beach Daily News (Palm Beach Opera)
“Mezzo-soprano Jessie Raven sang Maddalena with languid and passionate ease.”
-Glenn Giffin, The Denver Post (Central City Opera)
“Jessie Raven is perfect for the part, beautiful, seductive and free spirited with a wonderful contralto voice. The erotic scene between the Duke and Maddalena is bound to hold your attention.”
-Bob Hunter, Weekly Register-Call (Central City Opera)
“Mezzo-soprano Jessie Raven (Thérèse) includes dynamic voice and physical beauty on the stage.”
-Panayotis Karousos, GreekMontréal.com
“It was clearly evident that Jessie Raven possesses the qualities that will help her to stardom: a voice basically trouble-free, excellent acting capabilities, and a presence that is at once uncomplicated and commanding. She was deeply into her part as Thérèse, and she sang splendidly and acted with the necessary abandon.”
-Dan Wolfe, Shelburne News
“Jessie Raven sang brightly as Presiozilla, the gypsy who stirs up a couple of crowd scenes.”
-The Baltimore Sun
“Mezzo Jessie Raven portrayed the gypsy Presiozilla with vibrant energy.”
- The Washington Post
“As Presiozilla, the Gypsy fortune teller, mezzo-soprano Jessie Raven is one of the production’s gems. Raven’s energized performance adds comic- and vocal- sparkle to what is otherwise a pretty desolate first half-hour.”
-The Baltimore City Paper