“Thomas Potter and Cindy Sadler were in excellent form in the character roles of the kindly family physician and the Old Baroness, Vanessa’s disapproving mother.”
"...such a fine actress... rich low mezzo is penetrating and her contribution to the quintet is especially pronounced"
"Superb, especially… Cindy Sadler as the old Baroness…"
"Rich, warm mezzo... commanding vocal and dramatic performances"
“Sadler’s Old Baroness is the unyielding, unforgiving, stiff-necked Victorian creature Menotti envisioned, but her rich, warm mezzo belies a woman inhabited by frustration Relieving this stony silence, Barber’s music gives us the warmth that inspires hope. His soaring, meltingly beautiful melodies sit atop newer harmonies, giving life to a musical language that raises opera’s emotional ceiling. None of this would be possible without the commanding vocal and dramatic performances of Thomson, Babcock, Sadler, Piper and Potter.”
"Moral authority and aged gravitas"
“The Old Baroness is largely a silent sentinel but Cindy Sadler brought a moral authority and aged gravitas to her utterances.”
"Brings a gravitas"
“Cindy Sadler as The Old Baroness presents a harsh persona, unhappy with the goings on around her. She brings a gravitas to the proceedings, absolutely appropriate to the emotional climate of the household.”