Opera News hails Birsan and Wolverton in Madison Opera "Rusalka"
"The production’s “poor, pale Rusalka” was soprano Emily Birsan in a captivating role debut. The famous “Song to the Moon” revealed the soprano’s lovely lyric instrument and aptitude for intelligent phrasing straightaway; but it was in her anguished narrative “Ó marno, ó marno!” in Act II that she really came into her own with a laser-like ping at the top of the range and specifically pointed use of text. Her bittersweet blessing of her dead lover in Act III was shattering. The entire final scene was devastating, as tenor John Lindsay launched into the Prince’s ascending phrase “Líbej mne, líbej, mír mi přej” and joined Birsan in one of the most exquisite duets in the repertory. . .
Karin Wolverton delivered a terrific Foreign Princess with a big, refulgent soprano voice that dominated proceedings with her every utterance."
-Opera News