Concert Reviews

at the Rudolfinum in Prague with the Czech Philharmonic

Baroque

Tamerlano (Vivaldi)

"Ellen Rabiner is a mezzo of creamy tone and forceful low register"

The New York Times

Arsilda, Regina di Ponto (Vivaldi)

"Ellen Rabiner took the title role with great emphasis and sureness."

The New York Times

Messiah (Handel)

Ellen Rabiner, the outstanding contralto, sang with the unforced projection characteristic of all great vocal work. From the warmth and floating lyricism of "Behold, a virgin shall conceive", through the anguished outpourings of " He was despised", Rabiner's comfortable and pliant voice captured the text beautifully.

The Orange County Register

Samson (Handel)

"Ellen Rabiner has a rich contralto and both musical and dramatic sensitivity. She carried the narrative steadily and with manifest understanding of its function"

The Boston Globe

Dido and Aeneas (Purcell)

"Ellen Rabiner revealed a sizable, richly timbred contralto as the sorceress."

Los Angeles Times

Mi Palpita il cor (Handel)

"Rabiner, a real contralto, wrapped her voice sonorously around the dramatic lines."

Cleveland Plain Dealer

Song Recital

"The audience fell under the spell of Rabiner's low voice almost immediately and remained entranced for nearly two hours of powerful singing." excerpts

Manchester Press

Mahler

Rückert Lieder

"Rabiner has a distinctive contralto voice that projects well even in the lowest register. In the Ruckert songs of Mahler the somber darkness of her lower voice became polished gold in the upper registers. She possesses a voice of rare sensuality and beauty"

The Fresno Bee

Symphony no. 3

"Contralto Rabiner made rich, purposefully projected and clear sounds fraught with those Nietzschean meanings the listener associates with this music."

Los Angeles Times

"Wakefulness"(world premiere by Jeff Nichols)

Ellen Rabiner's contralto singing was wonderfully scrumptious, as richly toned as gourmet chocolate yet perfectly enunciated.

New Music Connoiseur