Reviews
Romeo: I Capulets e I Montecchi / English Touring Opera 2025
“Samantha Price’s multi-layered mezzo. Her imploring cavatina announced a flexible, expressive and (when necessary) properly forceful voice, endowed equally with grace and heft. Romeo’s final romanza, “Tu, bell’anima”, saw Price depart with captivating charisma and authority across her range.”
The Arts Desk
“Within Bellini’s output, for a glorious combination of soprano and mezzo voices, I Capuleti e i Montecchishould be at the top of your list. And when that combination is sung as well as it was by Samantha Price and Jessica Cale for English Touring Opera last night, it’s an unbeatable bel canto experience."
Bachtrack
"Samantha Price’s burnished mezzo worked wonders with Bellini’s lyricism, her coloratura finely delineated. "
The Guardian
"Romeo as sung by Samantha Price was often feisty in demeanour, and the urgency of his appeals to Giulietta was strongly conveyed. His aria “Deh! tu, bell’anima”, sung in grief at Giulietta’s tomb, was particularly affecting. Price made full use of her mezzo range, with rich chest tones and a gleaming edge to the florid elements in her upper register."
Opera Today
“Samantha Price and Jessica Cale make for a fine match, balanced and richly blended.”
Opera
“In the duets with her Romeo, the more experienced Samantha Price, Cale matched the mezzo-soprano’s expressive histrionic commitment, while Price’s plush timbre blended beautifully with Cale’s brighter gleam. Altogether this pairing does as much justice to Bellini’s writing as any I have heard at grander addresses.”
Operalogue
"The two leading roles are undertaken with a vocal fluency and confidence that does each of the artists involved considerable credit: Jessica Cale’s superbly sung Giulietta is perfectly matched by Samantha Price’s artfully voiced Romeo in terms of their equivalent and nigh-on flawless skill and execution."
The Stage
"…Samantha Price, as a rich-toned Romeo, injects anguish and foreboding into every note."
The Times
Phoebe Meryll: The Yeomen of the Guard / Charles Court Opera at Opera Holland Park 2024
“Samantha Price as Phoebe Meryll reveals an accomplished mezzo-soprano and highly persuasive persona.”
Music OMH
“There are particularly memorable performances from… especially Samantha Price as Phoebe, rich in voice, impeccable in diction and with an emotional vulnerability that is every bit as touching as Jack Point’s.”
The Times
Rosina: The Barber of Seville / Charles Court Opera at Wilton’s Music Hall 2024
“Samantha Price gives Rosina’s melodious warning that she will turn into a cat when angered, memorable pacing and gusto—a counterpoint to the bullish men who cavort around her.”
British Theatre Guide
“The quality of singing in this production is astonishing. Rosina (Samantha Price) is sung beautifully and the acting is most enjoyable.”
Everything Theatre
“Samantha Price as Rosina…outstandingly good – vocally secure and relishing the comic possibility of her role and the twists and turns of the deceptions and bluffs of the plot.”
Plays To See
Iolanthe / English National Opera 2023
“Samantha Price really hit the emotional mark in her plea to the husband who got her banished, a melody of sublime simplicity set, in its first verse at least, to lovely words.’
The Arts Desk
“Samantha Price as Iolanthe renders her climactic ballad with genuine poignancy…”
The Guardian
“John Savournin’s Lord Chancellor and Samantha Price’s Iolanthe inhabiting their roles as to the manner born.”
iNews
“Samantha Price as Iolanthe brings her distinctive mezzo-soprano and balletic moves to the titular role.”
Londonology
“Samantha Price as Iolanthe was magnificent, her warm placatory tone drawing all of our attention, with the subtle, unsettled shifting of The Lord Chancellor on his throne in the dimly lit background as he listened. We listened, too. The theatre suddenly breathed to be so free from distraction. It was the highpoint of the evening.”
Opera Today
“Samantha Price as Iolanthe looks and sounds entrancing.”
Plays To See
“Samantha Price in the title role fitted the bill to a tee…”
Seen and Heard International
“…as Iolanthe. Samantha Price shimmers vocally, most notably while tenderly pleading the case of her shepherd-turned-MP son, Strephon, to The Lord Chancellor.”
The Stage
“Samantha Price’s springy Iolanthe is touching in her climactic lament.”
The Times
Carmen / Waterperry Opera Festival 2023
“Samantha Price in the title role possessed everything…her character’s magnetism could not be gainsaid.”
Opera
“Samantha Price as Carmen was fabulous, furious, feisty and raunchily confident…”
Ox In A Box
“Above all, Samantha Price was a convincing Carmen vocally and dramatically with a suitably alluring voice and presence.”
Plays To See
“Samantha Price’s Carmen is strongly characterised, right from the opening habanera…”
The Stage
Second Lady: The Magic Flute / Royal Opera, London 2023
“The Ladies’ ensembles were sparklingly done and blended uncommonly well.”
Opera
Cherubino: Le nozze di Figaro / Opera Holland Park 2021
“The most winning performance of the evening comes from Samantha Price as Cherubino, who combines her distinctively golden mezzo with a wonderful gift for comedy.”
Bachtrack
“Samantha Price’s nifty Cherubino is very warmly done…”
Culture Whisper
“Price does fine things with Cherubino’s arias…”
The Guardian
“Price also stood out for her lively characterisation as Cherubino, physically and vocally too…”
Opera
“Samantha’s Price’s Cherubino had a breathless, desperate ardour and was in quicksilver voice.”
Opera Wire
“Ross Ramgobin’s goofy, handsomely sung Figaro and Samantha Price’s endearingly cocky Cherubino stood out from a generally enjoyable cast.”
The Spectator
“Samantha Price is a lively Cherubino, with plenty of personality…”
The Stage
“Samantha Price’s Cherubino captivated with her singing…”
The Sunday Times
“…delivering a shimmering Voi che sapete.”
The Telegraph
Cherubino: The Marriage of Figaro / English National Opera
“Price is a real find – gangling and charming, awkwardly loveable and with a legato you could balance your tea-cup on.”
The Arts Desk
Samantha Price is an excellent Cherubino: her boyish mannerisms nicely observed, part gauche little boy and part arrogant teenage heartthrob, her singing is exquisite, particularly in “Voi, che sapete.”
Bachtrack
“Samantha Price’s intensely sung Cherubino is all the more effective for being played absolutely straight.”
The Independent
“Samantha Price relayed Cherubino’s erotic complications in vividly-characterised acting, while producing a beautifully controlled line in her two arias.”
Opera
“Just as impressive was the charmingly gangly Cherubino of Samantha Price. She embodied the love-struck teenager credibly and with a perfect knack for comedy. Her singing was superb, bringing spirit to a lovely ‘Non so più’, her added vocal ornamentation immaculately phrased and delightful. ‘Voi che sapete’ was as enchanting as it ought to be, Ms. Shaw’s excellent direction here bringing out the character’s poignant self-consciousness. It was difficult to believe this was Ms. Price’s role debut.”
Opera Britannia
“Rude humour dominates, particularly in the blissful Cherubino scenes (Samantha Price is, forgive the pun, priceless as the priapic youth whose hormone-popping body constantly gets the better of him)…My personal highlight from a special evening? Cherubino’s gauche moment of self-consciousness before his great act two aria, so handshakes to Shaw for imagining it and to Samantha Price for delivering it so sweetly. The old eye leaked a bit, I don’t mind saying.”
What’s On Stage
Tweedle-Dum: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland / Linbury Studio Theatre
“The characterisation of roles is strong and energetically performed across the board…there is not a weak link in the cast, in terms either of singing ot acring…Samantha Price’s and Daisy Brown’s TweedleDee and TweedleDum show an impressive skill in physical comedy.”
The Stage
“The performances were bold and lively from the brattish Tweedles Dum and Dee (Samantha Price and Daisy Brown).
The Times
Prince Orlofsky: Die Fledermaus / Opera Holland Park
“Samantha Price makes a lively, luscious-sounding Prince Orlofsky.”
BLOUIN ARTINFO
“Samantha Price assumes the role of the jaded Russian aristocrat with more humour than most, unveiling her own deception in an amusing directorial conceit in the third act. She lends a spirit of lightness to the proceedings, singing ‘Ich lade gern mir Gäste ein’ with charm.”
Opera Britannia
“Samantha Price, a plump toned Orlofsky.”
Opera
“I enjoyed Samantha Price’s Orlofsky: her mezzo is vibrant and assured, and she was the perfect party host – hospitable and indefatigable.”
Opera Today
“Samantha Price made a charming Orlofsky.”
Planet Hugill
“Samantha Price is a likeable, gender-non binary Orlofsky.”
The Times
L’Innocente: L’Arlesiana / Opera Holland Park
“Samantha Price was excellent as the younger brother…”
Bachtrack
“Samantha Price, with her sweet mezzo-soprano, gives L’Innocente the right impression of being all knowing in a virtuous sense.”
Music OMH
“Samantha Price was excellent in the vital role of L’Innocente…”
Seen and Heard International
Iolanthe / English National Opera
“Samantha Price is an amusingly ditsy Iolanthe, singing with great warmth…”
Classical Source
“Samantha Price sings the title role beautifully…”
The Guardian
“Samantha Price as Iolanthe makes the most of her big Verdian aria…”
The Independent
“Samantha Price flighty, earnest Iolanthe excelled…”
The Observer
“As Iolanthe, Samantha Price made the most of her Act 2 supplication to her former husband…”
Opera Today
“…with Samantha Price as a fine Iolanthe.”
The Standard
“Samantha Price’s elegant Iolanthe is sprinkled with fairy dust…”
WhatsOnStage
Perdita: The Winter’s Tale / English National Opera
“Bohemia’s young lovers were charming: Samantha Price’s full lyric mezzo-soprano delicious as Perdita.”
Bachtrack
“But it’s young lovers Florizel (Anthony Gregory) and Perdita (Samantha Price) who find the missing joy in this musical world – she blooming and vital, he sincere, singing Wigglesworth’s angular lines with lieder-like ease and lyricism.”
Broadway World
“Samantha Price and Anthony Gregory make fresh-voiced lovers, Perdita and Florizel.”
The Guardian
“The most engaging performers are Anthony Gregory’s Florizel and Samantha Price’s Perdita, neither huge of voice, but projecting perfectly in the large auditorium.”
The Sunday Times
“Samantha Price and Anthony Gregory are spirited young lovers.”
The Times
“Samantha Price’s vulnerable Perdita shines and convinces.”
WhatsOnStage
2016 Opera Highlights Tour / Scottish Opera
“…a splendid company of four young singers…Mezzo Samantha Price and baritone Johnny Herford were the more consistently musically accurate and all four have real acting talent.”
The Herald
“…a quartet of assured and enchanting voices – soprano Filipa van Eck, mezzo Samantha Price, tenor Anthony Flaum and baritone Johnny Herford…Price creamy and rich as cranachan in the Handel…”
Scottish Daily Express
“Samantha Price’s multi-layered mezzo. Her imploring cavatina announced a flexible, expressive and (when necessary) properly forceful voice, endowed equally with grace and heft. Romeo’s final romanza, “Tu, bell’anima”, saw Price depart with captivating charisma and authority across her range.”
The Arts Desk
“Within Bellini’s output, for a glorious combination of soprano and mezzo voices, I Capuleti e i Montecchishould be at the top of your list. And when that combination is sung as well as it was by Samantha Price and Jessica Cale for English Touring Opera last night, it’s an unbeatable bel canto experience."
Bachtrack
"Samantha Price’s burnished mezzo worked wonders with Bellini’s lyricism, her coloratura finely delineated. "
The Guardian
"Romeo as sung by Samantha Price was often feisty in demeanour, and the urgency of his appeals to Giulietta was strongly conveyed. His aria “Deh! tu, bell’anima”, sung in grief at Giulietta’s tomb, was particularly affecting. Price made full use of her mezzo range, with rich chest tones and a gleaming edge to the florid elements in her upper register."
Opera Today
“Samantha Price and Jessica Cale make for a fine match, balanced and richly blended.”
Opera
“In the duets with her Romeo, the more experienced Samantha Price, Cale matched the mezzo-soprano’s expressive histrionic commitment, while Price’s plush timbre blended beautifully with Cale’s brighter gleam. Altogether this pairing does as much justice to Bellini’s writing as any I have heard at grander addresses.”
Operalogue
"The two leading roles are undertaken with a vocal fluency and confidence that does each of the artists involved considerable credit: Jessica Cale’s superbly sung Giulietta is perfectly matched by Samantha Price’s artfully voiced Romeo in terms of their equivalent and nigh-on flawless skill and execution."
The Stage
"…Samantha Price, as a rich-toned Romeo, injects anguish and foreboding into every note."
The Times
Phoebe Meryll: The Yeomen of the Guard / Charles Court Opera at Opera Holland Park 2024
“Samantha Price as Phoebe Meryll reveals an accomplished mezzo-soprano and highly persuasive persona.”
Music OMH
“There are particularly memorable performances from… especially Samantha Price as Phoebe, rich in voice, impeccable in diction and with an emotional vulnerability that is every bit as touching as Jack Point’s.”
The Times
Rosina: The Barber of Seville / Charles Court Opera at Wilton’s Music Hall 2024
“Samantha Price gives Rosina’s melodious warning that she will turn into a cat when angered, memorable pacing and gusto—a counterpoint to the bullish men who cavort around her.”
British Theatre Guide
“The quality of singing in this production is astonishing. Rosina (Samantha Price) is sung beautifully and the acting is most enjoyable.”
Everything Theatre
“Samantha Price as Rosina…outstandingly good – vocally secure and relishing the comic possibility of her role and the twists and turns of the deceptions and bluffs of the plot.”
Plays To See
Iolanthe / English National Opera 2023
“Samantha Price really hit the emotional mark in her plea to the husband who got her banished, a melody of sublime simplicity set, in its first verse at least, to lovely words.’
The Arts Desk
“Samantha Price as Iolanthe renders her climactic ballad with genuine poignancy…”
The Guardian
“John Savournin’s Lord Chancellor and Samantha Price’s Iolanthe inhabiting their roles as to the manner born.”
iNews
“Samantha Price as Iolanthe brings her distinctive mezzo-soprano and balletic moves to the titular role.”
Londonology
“Samantha Price as Iolanthe was magnificent, her warm placatory tone drawing all of our attention, with the subtle, unsettled shifting of The Lord Chancellor on his throne in the dimly lit background as he listened. We listened, too. The theatre suddenly breathed to be so free from distraction. It was the highpoint of the evening.”
Opera Today
“Samantha Price as Iolanthe looks and sounds entrancing.”
Plays To See
“Samantha Price in the title role fitted the bill to a tee…”
Seen and Heard International
“…as Iolanthe. Samantha Price shimmers vocally, most notably while tenderly pleading the case of her shepherd-turned-MP son, Strephon, to The Lord Chancellor.”
The Stage
“Samantha Price’s springy Iolanthe is touching in her climactic lament.”
The Times
Carmen / Waterperry Opera Festival 2023
“Samantha Price in the title role possessed everything…her character’s magnetism could not be gainsaid.”
Opera
“Samantha Price as Carmen was fabulous, furious, feisty and raunchily confident…”
Ox In A Box
“Above all, Samantha Price was a convincing Carmen vocally and dramatically with a suitably alluring voice and presence.”
Plays To See
“Samantha Price’s Carmen is strongly characterised, right from the opening habanera…”
The Stage
Second Lady: The Magic Flute / Royal Opera, London 2023
“The Ladies’ ensembles were sparklingly done and blended uncommonly well.”
Opera
Cherubino: Le nozze di Figaro / Opera Holland Park 2021
“The most winning performance of the evening comes from Samantha Price as Cherubino, who combines her distinctively golden mezzo with a wonderful gift for comedy.”
Bachtrack
“Samantha Price’s nifty Cherubino is very warmly done…”
Culture Whisper
“Price does fine things with Cherubino’s arias…”
The Guardian
“Price also stood out for her lively characterisation as Cherubino, physically and vocally too…”
Opera
“Samantha’s Price’s Cherubino had a breathless, desperate ardour and was in quicksilver voice.”
Opera Wire
“Ross Ramgobin’s goofy, handsomely sung Figaro and Samantha Price’s endearingly cocky Cherubino stood out from a generally enjoyable cast.”
The Spectator
“Samantha Price is a lively Cherubino, with plenty of personality…”
The Stage
“Samantha Price’s Cherubino captivated with her singing…”
The Sunday Times
“…delivering a shimmering Voi che sapete.”
The Telegraph
Cherubino: The Marriage of Figaro / English National Opera
“Price is a real find – gangling and charming, awkwardly loveable and with a legato you could balance your tea-cup on.”
The Arts Desk
Samantha Price is an excellent Cherubino: her boyish mannerisms nicely observed, part gauche little boy and part arrogant teenage heartthrob, her singing is exquisite, particularly in “Voi, che sapete.”
Bachtrack
“Samantha Price’s intensely sung Cherubino is all the more effective for being played absolutely straight.”
The Independent
“Samantha Price relayed Cherubino’s erotic complications in vividly-characterised acting, while producing a beautifully controlled line in her two arias.”
Opera
“Just as impressive was the charmingly gangly Cherubino of Samantha Price. She embodied the love-struck teenager credibly and with a perfect knack for comedy. Her singing was superb, bringing spirit to a lovely ‘Non so più’, her added vocal ornamentation immaculately phrased and delightful. ‘Voi che sapete’ was as enchanting as it ought to be, Ms. Shaw’s excellent direction here bringing out the character’s poignant self-consciousness. It was difficult to believe this was Ms. Price’s role debut.”
Opera Britannia
“Rude humour dominates, particularly in the blissful Cherubino scenes (Samantha Price is, forgive the pun, priceless as the priapic youth whose hormone-popping body constantly gets the better of him)…My personal highlight from a special evening? Cherubino’s gauche moment of self-consciousness before his great act two aria, so handshakes to Shaw for imagining it and to Samantha Price for delivering it so sweetly. The old eye leaked a bit, I don’t mind saying.”
What’s On Stage
Tweedle-Dum: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland / Linbury Studio Theatre
“The characterisation of roles is strong and energetically performed across the board…there is not a weak link in the cast, in terms either of singing ot acring…Samantha Price’s and Daisy Brown’s TweedleDee and TweedleDum show an impressive skill in physical comedy.”
The Stage
“The performances were bold and lively from the brattish Tweedles Dum and Dee (Samantha Price and Daisy Brown).
The Times
Prince Orlofsky: Die Fledermaus / Opera Holland Park
“Samantha Price makes a lively, luscious-sounding Prince Orlofsky.”
BLOUIN ARTINFO
“Samantha Price assumes the role of the jaded Russian aristocrat with more humour than most, unveiling her own deception in an amusing directorial conceit in the third act. She lends a spirit of lightness to the proceedings, singing ‘Ich lade gern mir Gäste ein’ with charm.”
Opera Britannia
“Samantha Price, a plump toned Orlofsky.”
Opera
“I enjoyed Samantha Price’s Orlofsky: her mezzo is vibrant and assured, and she was the perfect party host – hospitable and indefatigable.”
Opera Today
“Samantha Price made a charming Orlofsky.”
Planet Hugill
“Samantha Price is a likeable, gender-non binary Orlofsky.”
The Times
L’Innocente: L’Arlesiana / Opera Holland Park
“Samantha Price was excellent as the younger brother…”
Bachtrack
“Samantha Price, with her sweet mezzo-soprano, gives L’Innocente the right impression of being all knowing in a virtuous sense.”
Music OMH
“Samantha Price was excellent in the vital role of L’Innocente…”
Seen and Heard International
Iolanthe / English National Opera
“Samantha Price is an amusingly ditsy Iolanthe, singing with great warmth…”
Classical Source
“Samantha Price sings the title role beautifully…”
The Guardian
“Samantha Price as Iolanthe makes the most of her big Verdian aria…”
The Independent
“Samantha Price flighty, earnest Iolanthe excelled…”
The Observer
“As Iolanthe, Samantha Price made the most of her Act 2 supplication to her former husband…”
Opera Today
“…with Samantha Price as a fine Iolanthe.”
The Standard
“Samantha Price’s elegant Iolanthe is sprinkled with fairy dust…”
WhatsOnStage
Perdita: The Winter’s Tale / English National Opera
“Bohemia’s young lovers were charming: Samantha Price’s full lyric mezzo-soprano delicious as Perdita.”
Bachtrack
“But it’s young lovers Florizel (Anthony Gregory) and Perdita (Samantha Price) who find the missing joy in this musical world – she blooming and vital, he sincere, singing Wigglesworth’s angular lines with lieder-like ease and lyricism.”
Broadway World
“Samantha Price and Anthony Gregory make fresh-voiced lovers, Perdita and Florizel.”
The Guardian
“The most engaging performers are Anthony Gregory’s Florizel and Samantha Price’s Perdita, neither huge of voice, but projecting perfectly in the large auditorium.”
The Sunday Times
“Samantha Price and Anthony Gregory are spirited young lovers.”
The Times
“Samantha Price’s vulnerable Perdita shines and convinces.”
WhatsOnStage
2016 Opera Highlights Tour / Scottish Opera
“…a splendid company of four young singers…Mezzo Samantha Price and baritone Johnny Herford were the more consistently musically accurate and all four have real acting talent.”
The Herald
“…a quartet of assured and enchanting voices – soprano Filipa van Eck, mezzo Samantha Price, tenor Anthony Flaum and baritone Johnny Herford…Price creamy and rich as cranachan in the Handel…”
Scottish Daily Express