What the critics have to say…
Post Bulletin, Rochester, MN – “I must admit that I found myself nearly swooning over the priest of the Israelites’ recitative in Scene 3, sung by alto or contralto Lisa Drew. Her expression and lower range were voluptuous.” Handel’s Esther – with Lyra Baroque Orchestra, Matthew Mehaffy, conductor
reviewer: Drue FergisonMinneapolis Star Tribune, Minneapolis, MN – “Of the vocal soloists, it was the women who excelled. Maria Jette’s crystalline soprano soared thrillingly and was ideally paired with Lisa Drew’s warm, plummy alto.” Bach’s Mass in B Minor – with VocalEssence and Lyra Baroque Orchestra
reviewer: William Randall Beard
St. Paul Pioneer Press, St. Paul, MN – “…alto Lisa Drew filled the “Agnus Dei” with sorrowful resignation.” Bach’s Mass in B Minor – with VocalEssence and Lyra Baroque Orchestra
reviewer: Rob Hubbard
Duluth News Tribune, Duluth, MN –“With a hearty, stomping rhythm, alto Lisa Drew sang a passionate ode to love, honey and the Savior’s home, all wrapped up together, written by an African-American woman named Sister Patsy Williamson.” Pretty Home from And The Glory Shone Around – The Rose Ensemble Christmas Concert & Tour
reviewer: Samuel Black
St. Paul Pioneer Press, St. Paul, MN –“Indeed, “Pretty Home,” which was sung by the (The Rose) ensemble’s engagingly robust alto, Lisa Drew, included the rhythmic foot stomping that sounded like thunder when heard years ago in Pleasant Hill’s bare-floored meeting hall. To these ears, it was a journey to a beloved time and distant place.” And The Glory Shone Around – The Rose Ensemble Christmas Concert & Tour
reviewer: David Hawley
St. Paul Pioneer Press, St. Paul, MN – “While the Songs of Innocence, the evening’s first half, were almost consistently comforting, the “Songs of Experience” take poems built upon the same themes and deliver them in decidedly darker fashion. Among the many soloists, Lisa Drew and Mary Wilson were particularly adept at conveying the radical shifts in mood. But the assembled multitude – all under the direction of Philip Brunelle – handled the demands of this sprawling masterwork expertly.” William Bolcom Songs of Innocence and Experience
reviewer: Ron Hubbard
S&H International Concert Review – “Lisa Drew, whom I heard last season in the stunning Sandström High Mass, was once again in luminous form, and especially moving in the section titled Chaconne for Healing.” Heitzeg’s Nobel Symphony
reviewer: Bruce Hodges
Star Tribune, Minneapolis MN – “He (Steve Heitzeg) reveals a strong lyrical gift, especially in the vocal solos and duets, sung capably by mezzo Lisa Drew” Heitzeg’s Nobel Symphony
reviewer: Michael AnthonyThe Republican, Springfield MA – “Brahms’ Alto Rhapsody featured splendid singing from contralto Lisa Drew. Her warm, dark tone was more than a match for the orchestra, and she delivered Goethe’s text in elegant phrases. The third verse of the poem, in which the male chorus joins the alto soloist, offered some of the evening’s most beautiful music-making.” Berkshire Choral Festival
reviewer: Clifton Nobel, Jr
InTheSpotlight, Inc.org – Springfield MA – “In Alto Rhapsody, contralto Lisa Drew amazed the audience with her rich voice set to a Goethe poem in German. As musicologist Steven Ledbetter said during his pre-concert talk, Drew’s solo represents the misanthrope in Goethe’s text. The tone remained mournful until the last verse when the men’s choir, representing human society, joined in a warm prayer.” Berkshire Choral Festival
reviewer: Laura Schuyler
Star Tribune, Minneapolis, MN – “Soprano Maria Jette, tenor David Lee Brewer, and alto Lisa Drew were the fine soloists – vocally adroit and dramatically engaged.” Hoenneger’s King David
reviewer: Michael Anthony
Star Tribune, Minneapolis, MN – “Contralto Lisa Drew sang with a gorgeous, full, dark sound and magnetic stage presence.” Sandstrom High Mass
reviewer: Gwendolyn Freed
S&H International Concert Review – “The five soloists were uniformly outstanding, making a glowing, ethereal ensemble, despite each being handed a unique slate of treacherous vocal parts.” Sandstrom High Mass
reviewer: Bruce Hodges
Opera News: (Lisa Drew)- “made a good impression as Genevieve.” Pelleas et Melisande Minnesota Opera
City Pages, Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN –“Lisa Drew’s Fairy Queen rejoices in a mezzo-soprano of trombone-like resonance, charmingly employed.” Iolanthe The Gilbert & Sullivan Very Light Opera Company