Pamela Helen Stephen’s Penelope for ENO a “stunning depiction”

To critical acclaim by both press and opera goers, Pamela Helen Stephen currently stars as Penelope in Monteverdi’s The Return of Ulysses for English National Opera conducted by Jonathan Cohen. Benedict Andrews directs this new production at London’s Young Vic theatre.

Michael White of The Telegraph writes that “Pamela Helen Stephen is an inspired choice for Penelope, playing the role as a woman frozen in indecision, stifling her sexual need, and at the same time holding up magnificently under the constant, close-in exposure to which the show subjects her.”

Michael Tanner of The Spectator comments: “Pamela Helen Stephen is the only Penelope I can imagine…she sings to ravishing effect.”

Anna Picard of The Independent adds: “Sung crisply, viciously and seductively…Pamela Helen Stephen reveals the fury behind Penelope’s passivity.”

Richard Morisson of The Times says that “Pamela Helen Stephen, exploiting raw chest-timbres to convey Penelope’s anguish, presents a stunning depiction of a besieged woman refusing to extinguish hope or relinquish dignity.”

Rupert Christiansen of The Telegraph comments: “Pamela Helen Stephen sings with ardour and style as a Desperate Housewife of a Penelope.”

Fiona Maddocks, writing for The Observer, reflects that “As the grieving Penelope, Pamela Helen Stephen [is] remarkable; all too credible in her exploration of loss, bold in physicality.”

Her opinion is supported by George Hall of The Stage who thinks that “Particularly special [is] Pamela Helen Stephen’s Penelope, worn out by endless waiting and her importunate suitors.”

And finally Edward Seckerson of The Independent adds that “Pamela Helen Stephen and Tom Randle are quite extraordinary in [the] final scene. You could take away the music and they would still break your heart.”

Don’t miss this opportunity of seeing Pamela Helen Stephen in this role. The shows run until 9th April 2011. For more information please click here.

Pamela will return to ENO next season in Madame Butterfly and Weinberg’s The Passenger.