"Gediminas Varna took the part of Manrico by the scruff of its neck and wrang every possible dramatic opportunity from it. The top Cs were delivered with a cleanliness and clarity (not to mention volume) that was utterly thrilling."

"Beatrice Danesfield sang Leonora with delicacy and restraint. The strength and determination of a woman prepared to die to save her lover was communicated through purity, understatement and perfect control of the high register."

"Loic Guguen portrayed this role so convincingly it was easy to forget he was part of an unstaged performance. His visceral tone filled the St James's acoustics to every corner, his aria 'Il balen del suo sorriso' sung with disarming tenderness and heartfelt affection."

"Karolina Pilou's stunning dramatic delivery with seemingly effortless intensity throughout her wide range leaves her character's final victory in no doubt."