Maria Guleghina Uses Sheer Force to Conquer "Nabucco"

The Iron Lady (Photo: Marty Sohl/MET)

"Maria Guleghina sang Abigaille, a perennial role for her in this house, with great power and prowess, maneuvering between the coloratura passages and full-voice attacks with apparent ease. The Ukrainian soprano lacks beauty in her chest voice, unfortunately so, since the role has many moments of low-lying potential money notes. Guleghina made up for it with dramatic intensity and sheer vocal power, enough to be convincing in the opening scene where she enters wielding a sword, and her pleading despair in her touching final scene." [Source]