Jacqueline, Grange Park Opera 2013 Production Of Fortunio, Andre Messager
“…Daniel Slater’s gimmick-free, period-set, unashamedly simple production ideally complements the subtlety and finesse of the melodic masterpiece that is Messager’s score, conductor Toby Purser capturing its Debussy-like understatement. Its charm and elegance, too, epitomised in Ilona Domnich’s gorgeously sung and acted performance as the Jacqueline, the young wife of an elderly lawyer who enters into an affair with a womanizing soldier before finding true love with her husband’s innocent junior clerk, Fortunio.” Bernard Lee, Sheffield telegraph
“… Ilona Domnich looked the part in spades from the moment she sauntered onstage: elegant, slightly aloof, beautifully costumed and moving like a panther. And her voice proved lovely for the part – more than a soubrette, with occasional moments of lyrical power that absolutely soared over the orchestral texture that underpins her. Mike Reynolds, Music critisizm
“…I like Ilona Domnich’s Jacqueline – a nice blend of the respectable and the sensual” Stephen Walsh, The Art desk
“…Domnich’s silver-tongued soprano allows her to get away with her multiple duplicities.” George Hall, The Guardian
“…Domnich made a ravishing Jacqueline, singing beautifully and being attractively touching whilst clearly scheming away. Her way with Messager’s melodic lines was highly effective, and there was something in her voice which reminded me of Ileana Cotrubas. I enjoyed Domnich’s Tatyana last year for Grange Park Opera’s Rising Stars and her performance as Jacqueline shows that she is just as adept at the lighter repertoire.” Robert Hugill
“…The chief interest lies in Ilona Domnich’s Jacqueline – pretty of voice and appearance, properly demure in the “public” scenes..” Financial Times
