Reviews
Laura Portune scored a triple double with her acting, singing and dancing (as Valencienne). (Dayton Opera, The Merry Widow)
Dayton Daily News, Adam Alonzo, April 7, 2009
As Valencienne, the Baron’s much younger wife, Dayton native Laura Portune uses her light, supple soprano and effervescent acting to great advantage. She can shake a leg with the best of them as indicated by her appearance as a ‘grisette’ amid the can-can dancers in Act 3. Also, her spirited flirtation with Camille de Rosillon, sung by Matt Morgan, adds a humorous counterpoint to the tug-of-war between Hanna and Danilo. (Dayton Opera, The Merry Widow)
Dayton City Paper, Eric Street, April 1, 2009
SmorgZone
I was caught off guard by some strangely feminine sound coming out of the Dulcinea's four male suitors.... until I realized that 2 of them are actually trouser roles (male roles written for female singers)! Both Laura Portune (Pedro) and Rebecca Skaar (Garcias) fit so well into their male costume that it took hearing their voice to realize that they are actually ladies. (San Diego Opera, Don Quichotte)
SmorgZone Feb 15, 2009
The translucent voice of Laura Portune as the Shepherd Boy pleasingly lifts us into the heavens. (San Diego Opera, Tosca)
Concertonet.com, Christie Grimstad, Jan 25, 2009
The aria “Glitter and Be Gay” had a coloratura virtuosity worthy of opera... Nothing was showier than “Glitter and Be Gay,” which soprano Laura Portune (as the female lead, Cunegonde) performed with winning confidence. Give her extra credit for poise – she had to sing it while getting undressed. (Lyric Opera San Diego, Candide)
Union Tribune Classical Music Critic Valerie Scher, September 29, 2008
sandiego.com
As his elusive love object, Cunegonde, soprano Laura Portune’s brilliant coloratura is equally winning, especially in her role’s show-stopping “Glitter and Be Gay” aria, which she sings with panache and agility. She can slip into her character’s many personae with the ease of changing a pair of gloves. (Lyric Opera San Diego, Candide)
San Diego Arts, Kenneth Herman Sun, Sep 28th, 2008
The cast was rounded out by a charming performance by the returning Laura Portune as the Shepherd Boy (San Diego Opera, Tannhäuser).
Classical Voice San Diego Dawn Southwick 2008
Laura Portune uses her light, flexible soprano and excellent acting ability to create a toothsome Zerlina whose first-act flirtation with Giovanni nearly derails her impending marriage. Portune and Shircliffe (Masetto) truly gel as a couple onstage and bring out the humorous side of Mozart’s “drama giocoso,” his playful drama. (Dayton Opera, Don Giovanni)
Eric Street, Dayton City Paper Oct 2007
Laura Portune and Kellie Van Horn also make the most of their roles as Carmen’s feisty sidekicks. Portune’s soprano, in particular, sparkles above even the full chorus.
MICHAEL MORAIN, Des Moines Register,July 2007
Laura Portune uses her light, flexible soprano and excellent acting ability to create a toothsome Zerlina whose first-act flirtation with Giovanni nearly derails her impending marriage. Portune and Shircliffe (Masetto) truly gel as a couple onstage and bring out the humorous side of Mozart’s “drama giocoso,” his playful drama.
Eric Street, Dayton City Paper Oct 2007
Another perfect pairing is soprano Laura Portune and tenor David
Gagnon... as Valencienne and Rosillon. Their love songs in Act 2 melt the cold
winter air, even this week's cold winter air.
Barbara Zuck, February 2007
Laura Portune doubled nicely as the Sandman and the Dewfairy.
CHARLES H. PARSONS , Opera News, Nov 2006
In act one, the flirtatious Portune overwhelmed Johnson, both vocally and by her exceptional stage presence. Later Johnson’s powerful tenor, which handled the demanding top notes bravely, melded with Portune’s soprano, and the two seemed transported into a Verdi opera.
Michael L. Greenwald, October 2006
Soprano Laura Portune is enchanting as the flirtatious Valencienne (a role she created for Lyric Opera several years ago), and her voice is powerful and pleasing.
Dale Morris, October 2006
Bass Thomas Hammons, a veteran of the Metropolitan Opera stage [...was] the mean step-father. And his comic sensibility was well complimented by Cinderella's stepsisters Clorinda and Tisbe, Laura Portune and Christy Lynn Brown, respectively... [Portune's] extended family can well be proud of her accomplishment.
Carol Simmons, January 27, 2006
Beautiful Laura Portune has always delivered unforgettable performances. I
still remember her Peter Pan of more than a decade ago. She joined with Christy
Lynn Brown as the frivolous and shrewish sisters who taunt poor Cinderella and
pursue the prince relentlessly - an opportunity for both to show off their
excellent singing as well as their zany antics.
Burt Saidel, January 24, 2006
The Arcadian couple [Laura Portune as Phyllis] are simply outstanding in every way, vocally and in their natural yet convincing character portrayals.
Columbus Dispatch, June 18th, 2004
The Chronicle
Especially notable was soprano Laura Portune's rendition of "Quando m'en vo." Her portrayal of feminine temptation and desire was beautifully sung and acted. She took over the stage with gusto.
Chronicle, March 4th, 2004
Laura Portune sang sweetly as both Tebaldo and the celestial voice.
UNION-TRIBUNE CLASSICAL MUSIC CRITIC, March 29, 2004
Laura Portune was a lively Tebaldo and her Celestial Voice was radiant with glorious sound.
Opera japonica, March 2004
As Rosina, Laura Portune has a sweet voice, particularly in the piano sections.
Gay and Lesbian Times October 04, 2002
Soprano Laura Portune was a confident Rosina.
UNION-TRIBUNE CLASSICAL MUSIC CRITIC, September 30th, 2002
But what wonderful romantic leads. Music and direction conspire to bring real drama and suspense to the pairing of Frederick, Eric Johnston, and Mabel, Laura Portune. And these performers bring vocal magic to their roles.
The Columbus Dispatch, June 22, 2002
Laura M. Portune has a strong and lovely singing voice as Valencienne.
San Diego Tribune, Pam Dragen, April, 2000
Laura M. Portune-- also a lyric soprano-- played the reluctant, wandering wife
with a pleasant, light, somewhat flinty voice.
Sign on San Diego, Rick Mortensen, March 28, 2000
It's hard to pick a favorite performance, but a few stand out. Laura Portune's solo performance of Haydn's The Marv'lous Work was met with enthusiastic applause.
Kathy Whyde Jesse
Most prominent were the two wonderfully matched leads, soprano Laura Portune in the title role and tenor Magnus Hillbo as her lover, the emperor Nero. Both physically attractive and dramatically assured, their voices had the clarity and flexibility to negotiate Monteverdi's intricate, irregular and capricious melody.
South Bend Tribune, Robert Rhein, March 30, 1998
Laura Portune was terrific at Peter. Her energetic entrance through the window was like a blast of fresh air. She was equally good as she sang "I Won't Grow Up" with a jovial defiance and as she quietly reminiscences during "Neverland"... As the orchestra played "I'm Flying" there were a few minutes which literally took your breath away as the four of them flew among the stars to Neverland. There were times when it seemed Portune would literally fly out of the theatre as she zipped back and forth, often into the wings, playfully laughing all the while.
Mark Kellam January 19, 1994