Handel’s Messiah with the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra

“The soloists, also, were a joy to hear…. Melissa Plagemann’s translucent mezzo delved into a gorgeously husky chest voice….” “…between terrific solos (Carroll’s heartbreaking ‘Behold and See,’ Plagemann’s expressive ‘He was Despised’)….”

--Tacoma News Tribune (Rosemary Ponnekanti)

 

In recital at the Second City Chamber Series in Tacoma

“Mezzo Melissa Plagemann and pianist Allan Dameron teamed up for a first half of lieder (German art songs) by Schubert, Schoenberg and Brahms…. Plagemann, for her part, strode through Schubert’s delightful melodies, her mezzo rich with an alto’s strength and a soprano’s shining top edge. From the well-known melody of the happy, leaping “Trout” through the tranquil “Faith in Spring” and the cheeky “Birds” the duo paired impeccably…. With Schoenberg’s “Book of the Hanging Garden”, the mezzo swung into the haunting beauty and unsettling musical images with gusto…. Finally, the pair was joined by violist Timothy Christie for Brahms’ “Two Songs” op. 91, and the blend between restrained piano, sweet and expressive viola and Plagemann drinking in her long romantic phrases like syrup was perfect.”

--Tacoma News Tribune (Rosemary Ponnekanti)

 

Chausson’s Poème de l’Amour et de la Mer with the Auburn Symphony

“It [the Auburn Symphony] shone in the next work, Chausson’s ‘Poem of Love and the Sea’ with mezzo-soprano Melissa Plagemann…. It requires long musical lines from the singer, which she ably accomplished, and the whole was a powerful, moving experience.”

-- Seattle Post-Intelligencer (Philippa Kiraly)

 

Mahler’s Urlicht (from Symphony #2) with Pacific Northwest Ballet

Forsythe used the fourth movement of Mahler's "Resurrection" symphony (sung beautifully here by mezzo-soprano Melissa Plagemann) -- solemn, sacred music for woodwinds and brass that gives you chills.

--Seattlest.com (Michael van Baker)

 

Rossini’s Le Comte Ory with Tacoma Opera

“What stands out is the action and the superb cast…. Melissa Plagemann, in the pants role of Isolier, plays composedly with a clear, burnished voice.”

–Tacoma News Tribune

 

“The young page Isolier was played by Melissa Plagemann, who was very funny in the boudoir scene in the final act. Her voice matched Miss Bromagen's well in their duets: one could imagine the two of them in any number of bel canto operas with prominent soprano and mezzo roles.”

– Seattle Opera.livejournal.com

 

Handel’s Messiah with the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra

“Friday evening’s 5th annual Messiah performance by Tacoma Symphony Orchestra and Chorus also showcased the soaring talents of four excellent local soloists whose melodious voices beautifully soared over the night's equally rich and memorable musical landscape. They would include: Sarah B. Markovits (soprano), Melissa Plagemann (mezzo), Stephen Rumph (tenor) and Barry Johnson (baritone) all united under the capable and steady vision of conductor Geoffrey Boers.”

--InYourNeighborhood.blogspot.com

 

Handel’s Messiah with Orchestra Seattle/Seattle Chamber Singers

“The four soloists brought dramatically diverse personalities to the stage, adding emotional and dramatic nuance to the performance. Melissa Plagemann, mezzo-soprano, brightened the stage with her cheerful personality and sweet voice during her first aria (Behold, a Virgin Shall Conceive). “

--The Gathering Note (Dana Wen)

 

Handel’s Messiah with Seattle Baroque Orchestra

“The soloists had merit…. Soprano Emily van Evera and mezzo-soprano Melissa Plagemann have attractive voices.”

-- Seattle Post-Intelligencer (R.M. Campbell)

 

“Melissa Plagemann, filling in on short notice, had an attractively expressive mezzo….”– Crosscut Seattle

 

Saint-Saëns’ Christmas Oratorio with Orchestra Seattle/Seattle Chamber Singers

“Solos for soprano (Linda Tsatsanis), mezzo-soprano (Melissa Plagemann), alto (Tessa Studebaker), tenor (Stephen Wall) and bass (Brian Box) were delightfully shaped by the afternoon’s soloists.”

--The Gathering Note (Zach Carstensen)

 

Caccini’s La Liberazione di Ruggiero… with Northwest Puppet Center

“Melissa Plagemann… traversed the ornate roulades of Baroque vocal style with ease and aplomb.”

-- Seattle Post-Intelligencer

 

Performances with Seattle New Music Ensemble

“Melissa Plagemann performed with sensitive dynamics and rhythmic authority.”

-- Utopian Turtletop.com