“With effectively zero preparation, Ms. Opolais stepped right in and almost instantly meshed with the existing cast . . . The range of nuance and emotion Ms. Opolais was able to convey was quite impressive, particularly since she’d just endured Cio-cio-san’s heartbreaking decline and fall only a few hours earlier . . . Her lovely, youthful, effortlessly nuanced voice was a perfect match to her portrayal of the physically weak yet idealistic and loving Mimi.”

-Terry Ponick, Communities Digital News

“As soon as Opolais’s Mimi came on stage you were sure this was no ordinary portrayal of the naïve, shy seamstress. The young Latvian soprano gave a new approach to the character that made it very rich and interesting, more full of nuances and emotions . . . Opolais sang “Donde lieta usci” with vibrant tone, gorgeous color in her voice, portraying Mimi’s desperation in a very touching and honest way. Her big, beauteous voice is capable of molding the fortes with shinning tone and her high notes ring through the orchestra effortlessly; she had no problem projecting her instrument during the gorgeous quartet of the third act.”

-Ingrid Haas, OperaClick.com

“ . . . so remarkable and complete was Kristine Opolais’s performance both vocally and dramatically . . . She is a compelling stage presence with a near-perfect combination of reticence and sensuality that works splendidly for Mimì whose superficial modesty only barely disguises her deep inner desires.”

-Jim Pritchard, Seen and Heard International