Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni with Madison Opera
"This entire cast is talented, but Burton, as well as Emily Fons as Donna Elvira are the production’s stars. Both women are cast perfectly for their roles, with Burton’s pure soprano giving her both deep sadness and a sharp, vindictive edge.
Fons has a smoky mezzo soprano as Giovanni’s jilted noblewoman lover. She brings bitterness and devastated disbelief as she pursues Giovanni, sometimes cursing his name, sometimes making a vain attempt to return him to her side. As directed by David Lefkowich, Burton’s and Fons’ acting skills are top-notch, illustrating Donna Anna’s grief tuned to bloodthirst and Donna Elvira’s tortuous internal conflict."
"Emily Fons brought a riveting complexity to Donna Elvira, combining velvety phrasing with the raw edges of emotional instability. She didn’t just sing Elvira — she agonized in real time, making her one of the most human figures on stage. By Act II, Fons was in full command of both the character and the music, delivering a performance that felt lived-in and luminous. "
