Reviews
The Northern Echo - Jane Shuttleworth, Handel's Messiah in Durham Cathedral, April 2014
The adult soloists were excellent, and all were well matched to their allocated arias. Among my personal highlights were alto Helen Bruce’s But who may abide, for her big contrast in that aria’s two very different sections, and her gradual build-up, saving some of her fire for a really exciting final page.
The FTR – Carmen, July 2013
“Helen Bruce’s free spirited gypsy Carmen was terrifyingly sensual”
Salisbury Journal – Morwenna Blake, Carmen, July 2013
“Helen Bruce as Carmen was very impressive”
The Independent - Anna Picard, A Night at the Chinese Opera, September 2012
"Outstanding in a committed cast were Johnny Herford as the doomed hero, Chao Lin, Helen Bruce as the chirruping housekeeper Mrs Chin and the gnomic Old Crone..."
The Financial Times - Andrew Clark, A Night at the Chinese Opera, September 2012
"The pantomimic second act... works brilliantly because it is intrinsically entertaining. The verse has humour and BYO fields three charismatic singer-actors in Catherine Backhouse, Louise Kemeny and Peter Kirk. Helen Bruce, James Hall and Johnny Herford also make their mark, and the young musicians of Southbank Sinfonia cover themselves in glory, thanks to the tight rhythmic control exerted by their conductor, Lionel Friend."
Planet Hugill - Robert Hugill, hugill.blogspot.co.uk, A Night at the Chinese Opera, September 2012
"Helen Bruce sang and worked a huge puppet of the Old Crone, another stunning piece of work...(she) played both old ladies with relish; Mrs Chin who was Chao Sun’s housekeeper and also the Old Crone whom Chao Lin meets on the mountain. As I have said, this latter character was played by a puppet which Bruce manipulated (partly wearing it) whilst singing, so she can add versatility to her talents."
theartsdesk.com – Alexandra Coghlan, BBC Proms: Bernstein's Mass, August 2012
“...the Street People...with their bright clothes and highly characterised episodes...mostly appearing as soloists – were astonishingly good”.
Salisbury Journal – Myra Bennett, The Marriage of Figaro, July 2012
“The first half, in particular, was a triumph of singing married to acting; Helen Bruce (Cherubino – an observantly portrayed adolescent boy) at one point sang passionately while lying flat on her back...This was one of those evenings that you felt privileged to have experienced...”
Western Mail - Mike Smith, February 2012
"I enjoyed the Sorceress from Helen Bruce; another well sung role acted with dignity and venom."
The adult soloists were excellent, and all were well matched to their allocated arias. Among my personal highlights were alto Helen Bruce’s But who may abide, for her big contrast in that aria’s two very different sections, and her gradual build-up, saving some of her fire for a really exciting final page.
The FTR – Carmen, July 2013
“Helen Bruce’s free spirited gypsy Carmen was terrifyingly sensual”
Salisbury Journal – Morwenna Blake, Carmen, July 2013
“Helen Bruce as Carmen was very impressive”
The Independent - Anna Picard, A Night at the Chinese Opera, September 2012
"Outstanding in a committed cast were Johnny Herford as the doomed hero, Chao Lin, Helen Bruce as the chirruping housekeeper Mrs Chin and the gnomic Old Crone..."
The Financial Times - Andrew Clark, A Night at the Chinese Opera, September 2012
"The pantomimic second act... works brilliantly because it is intrinsically entertaining. The verse has humour and BYO fields three charismatic singer-actors in Catherine Backhouse, Louise Kemeny and Peter Kirk. Helen Bruce, James Hall and Johnny Herford also make their mark, and the young musicians of Southbank Sinfonia cover themselves in glory, thanks to the tight rhythmic control exerted by their conductor, Lionel Friend."
Planet Hugill - Robert Hugill, hugill.blogspot.co.uk, A Night at the Chinese Opera, September 2012
"Helen Bruce sang and worked a huge puppet of the Old Crone, another stunning piece of work...(she) played both old ladies with relish; Mrs Chin who was Chao Sun’s housekeeper and also the Old Crone whom Chao Lin meets on the mountain. As I have said, this latter character was played by a puppet which Bruce manipulated (partly wearing it) whilst singing, so she can add versatility to her talents."
theartsdesk.com – Alexandra Coghlan, BBC Proms: Bernstein's Mass, August 2012
“...the Street People...with their bright clothes and highly characterised episodes...mostly appearing as soloists – were astonishingly good”.
Salisbury Journal – Myra Bennett, The Marriage of Figaro, July 2012
“The first half, in particular, was a triumph of singing married to acting; Helen Bruce (Cherubino – an observantly portrayed adolescent boy) at one point sang passionately while lying flat on her back...This was one of those evenings that you felt privileged to have experienced...”
Western Mail - Mike Smith, February 2012
"I enjoyed the Sorceress from Helen Bruce; another well sung role acted with dignity and venom."