Gartland "masterful" as "Rusalka" with Des Moines Metro Opera
"Sara Gartland was masterful in the title role of the opera. She beautifully portrayed Rusalka's journey from restless optimist to defeated outcast. Gartland sounded reserved at the beginning of the famous "Song to the Moon," but as the aria progressed, her voice blossomed into its full rich tone. Rusalka is a demanding role, most notably for its emotional range. She must be ethereal at times and heart wrenching at others, and Gartland excelled in all of the character's vocal guises." -Schmopera Read full review. "Here, under Chas Rader-Shieber’s imaginative direction, the powerhouse soprano and company favorite Sara Gartland crosses the border into a disorienting new world. Even with such a deep bench, though, the real star is Gartland, who sings Rusalka’s plaintive “Song to the Moon” with a voice as big and lustrous as its subject. (It’s one of Renee Fleming’s signature arias.) The role requires an enormous vocal and emotional range, and Gartland delivers on both counts. You can feel what she feels—her longing, her homesickness—even though she might have gills." -DSM Magazine Read full review.
“Sara Gartland was utter perfection in the title role, a performance on full throttle from first to last as she descended inexorably from infectious, hopeful girlish impetuosity to end up a pathetically defeated nonentity. Her singing was nothing less than radiant throughout. Ms. Gartland possesses a substantial lyric soprano of great beauty and rock solid technique that seems to know no bounds when it comes to alluring sheen, emotional connection, thrilling top notes, vibrant mid-range, floated pianissimi, and well, any and all variations thereof. Moreover, her attractive presence and committed acting were all one could wish for this complex heroine. I would wager there is no one in the world singing this role better than Sara Gartland.” James Sohre