Act II saw the introduction of the star soloist, Suzie Purkis as Juno, adding an extra clarity of diction and stage presence to the proceedings.

Carmen's friends, played by Rebecca Hiller and Suzie Purkis, had good voices and vivid personalities.

Rosina and the Ensemble, together with soprano Suzie Purkis delivered the piece with authority, Rosina unfolding its glittering percussion textures with patience and clarity, tricky rhythmic detail meticulously rehearsed, Purkis’ poised delivery conveying a wonderfully lyrical sense of line through wide-spanning intervals.

…the supple-toned mezzo Suzie Purkis in Improvisation I sur Mallarme...

The amazingly versatile Purkis could almost have been the reincarnation of that virtuosic Cathy Berberian.

As Amahl’s mother she was dramatic, powerful and deeply moving, her clear text carrying the drama with subtle flow.