"...a winning 50-minute performance by Edinburgh-trained soprano Emma
Versteeg, accompanied by pianist Sam Hutchings...
The opening two Ravel
items, straightaway highlighted Versteeg’s vivid, vibrant timbre,
beautifully measured tempos and supple, expansive phrasing, contrasting
breathless though crisply articulated ardour with softly devotional
serenity.
She continued to demonstrate this assured versatility,
putting herself thoroughly through her paces in such chalk-and-cheese
material as Copland’s hauntingly simple, forlorn Long Time Ago and
Wolf’s wilfully quirky, madcap Mein Liebster ist so klein, while
maintaining an impressively graceful equilibrium amid the wayward piano
tangents of Britten’s The Ashgrove.
...a balance of freshness and charm with
securely grounded technique."
Rating: ****
Sue Wilson, The Scotsman - January 2012
..."
the opening lines for solo soprano beautifully sung by Emma Versteeg with impeccable diction and a warm open sound."
- Dumfries Choral Society, March 2011
"Emma Versteeg's clear high soaring opening lines launched a
performance that was powerful, intense, dramatic and totally committed
to the music".
- Helensburgh Advertiser -
December 2009
"The final movement was a real fulfillment where one of Vaughan
Williams' great sine nomine tunes ushered in the seamless, shining road
to the end, with Emma Versteeg's lovely soprano voice fading away on
the words Dona Nobis Pacem". Helensburgh Advertiser - December 2009 "The first half was given over to Purcell, with the solos by soprano Emma Versteeg being real highlights"
- Three Weeks, September 2009
"Rejoice Greatly beautifully sung by guest soprano Emma Versteeg"
- Cumbernauld News, December 2007
"a magnificent performance of Adam's O Holy Night by Emma Versteeg"
- Cumbernauld News, December 2007
"Clarity and warmth of sound... a
natural affinity and engagement with her audiences.. a delight to work with"
Howard Ionascu - Musical Director of the Laudate Choir.
"Working
with Emma is a composer's dream. She gave a performance which was full of expression and intelligent interpretation. I feel
privileged to have had her sing in the opera, and could not imagine her
part sung by anybody else".
Dr. Richard Peat - composer of I'm the King of the Castle.
"Emma delighted with her beautiful, effortless tone in the Et Misericordia"
- Bishop's Stortford Choral Society, Spring 2005
"Emma's stylish and effortless rendition of I know that my Redeemer Liveth was the perfect transition from the overwhelming exuberance of the Hallelujah chorus to the more contemplative final section of the work"
- Kentish Gazette, March 2004