Penelope Shumate

​Kassandra - Kassandra (Navona Records) “In the title role, the mellifluous soprano Penelope Shumate puts her lines across with sincerity and attractive lucidity.” - Opera News

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Soprano Soloist - Messiah - Distinguished Concerts International New York (David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center)
"Penelope Shumate sang the soprano solos with appealing bell-like clarity and surpassing sweetness." - The New York Times

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Soprano Soloist - Messiah - Distinguished Concerts International New York (Carnegie Hall) "Soprano soloist Penelope Shumate, a musician who has been favorably reviewed in New York Concert Review several times. She did not disappoint. After her three excellent recitatives, she was simply exultant in the “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion.” She handled some of its seemingly endless phrases without any apparent need to breathe, showing simply supernatural ease. She also excelled in the subsequent sections “Then shall the eyes of the blind” and “He shall feed his flock.”  - New York Concert Review

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Soprano Soloist - Carmina Burana - Distinguished Concerts International New York (Carnegie Hall) “The radiant voice of soprano Penelope Shumate was always at the forefront, but her foray into the stratosphere in the Dulcissime was breathtaking.” - New York Concert Review

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Soprano Soloist - Messiah - Distinguished Concerts International New York (Carnegie Hall)

"Soprano Penelope Shumate projected her bright sound quite powerfully, and there was never a hint of being overwhelmed by the substantial forces of chorus and orchestra. Her “How beautiful are the feet” was delivered with devout feeling, but perhaps her most memorable moments were in “I know that my redeemer liveth,” in which her softer dynamic levels were absolutely haunting."

- New York Concert Review

 

Soprano Soloist - Carmina Burana - Distinguished Concerts International New York (David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center) “Penelope Shumate, who I’ve reviewed previously in these pages, was radiant in her high-flying “Dulcissime,” a high D sounded nowhere near the top of her capability. Her “In trutina” had a lovely hushed eroticism . . .”

- New York Concert Review

 

Soprano Soloist - Messiah - Distinguished Concerts International New York (Carnegie Hall)

“. . . soprano Penelope Shumate and her sparkling coloratura perfection in “Rejoice greatly” and a very affecting “I know that my Redeemer liveth . . .”

- New York Concert Review

 

Soprano Soloist - Messiah - Roanoke Symphony Orchestra (Shaftman Performance Hall at Jefferson)

". . . her shimmer suited the recitatives about the angel and the shepherds in the fields. Her aria “Rejoice greatly” had the necessary energy and exaltation, providing one of the vocal highlights of the evening."

- The Roanoke Times

 

Soprano Soloist - Requiem (Mozart) and Stabat Mater (Mealor) - Distinguished Concerts International New York (Carnegie Hall)
"The soprano soloist, the excellent Penelope Shumate (doing double duty in the Mozart Requiem) soared above the choir with her descant, which seemed the embodiment of light."
- New York Concert Review

 

Soprano Soloist - Messiah - Distinguished Concerts International New York (Carnegie Hall)

"bright, clear sound, excellent diction, real emotional involvement, and spot-on coloratura."

- New York Concert Review
 

Soprano Soloist - Requiem (Verdi) - Distinguished Concerts International New York (Carnegie Hall)
"Penelope Shumate created some lovely pianissimo floaty high notes, and these were her best quality, which is no small achievement."
- New York Concert Review

Soprano Soloist - Messiah - Distinguished Concerts International New York (David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center)
"Soprano Penelope Shumate was a real find for me, with a voice that has been described previously in New York Concert Review as “radiant,” and I can see why. The clear tones were true and expressive, one of the best “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion” that I have ever heard live. Her “I know that my redeemer liveth” was lovely." - New York Concert Review

Soprano Soloist - Carmina Burana - Distinguished Concerts International New York (David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center)
“Penelope Shumate looked stunning in her strapless red gown as she sauntered provocatively across the stage . . . suited for the high "Dulcissime," where her tones range out loud and clear." - New York Concert Review

Soprano Soloist - "The Music of Dinos Constantinides" - Distinguished Concerts International New York (Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall) “Soprano Penelope Shumate . . . performances filled with passion, charm, and coquettishness.” - New York Concert Review

Soprano Soloist - Messiah - Distinguished Concerts International New York (David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center)
"Penelope Shumate sang the soprano solos with appealing bell-like clarity and surpassing sweetness." - The New York Times

Soprano Soloist - Messiah - Distinguished Concerts International New York (David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center)
"Soprano Penelope Shumate was confident and assured..." - New York Concert Review

Galatea - Acis and Galatea - Duluth Festival Opera
"Shumate's voice....full and wonderful as Galatea." - Duluth News Tribune

Soprano Soloist - Carmina Burana - Distinguished Concerts International New York (Carnegie Hall)
"Soprano Penelope Shumate, in a sexy red gown which conjured up the word “lust,” possessed a beautiful, flexible, dramatic voice."

- New York Concert Review

Musetta - La Bohème - Baltimore Concert Opera
"...her tone was shimmering and clear." - Baltimore Examiner

Soprano Soloist - "Gifts from Grand Opera" - Annapolis Opera
"Gorgeous also describes Shumate's voice. There was never a sense of effort or strain in any of her selections; I was particularly impressed by her agility in the Donizetti aria, "Chacun le sait,"and the ease with which she tossed off its beautiful and truly comic, coloratura runs.…with each successive performance, she got better and better, finally capping off the afternoon's recital with a truly magnificent rendition of "Trees on the Mountain" from Floyd's Susannah." - The Capital

Soprano Soloist - Carmina Burana - Berkshire Choral Festival
"...the Soprano, Penelope Shumate, was magnificent with her brilliant lyric voice caressing her music and soaring effortlessly to the high D in the arioso, Dulcissime." - The Daily Mail/Hudson-Catskill Newspapers

Violetta - La Traviata - Duluth Festival Opera
"..portrayed by the lovely, and svelte (how many leading sopranos would appear on stage in a swimming suit?), Penelope Shumate. She is an affecting coloratura and convincing actress who breathes life -- and death -- into Violetta in convincing fashion."
- Duluth Superior Magazine

Violetta - La Traviata - Duluth Festival Opera
"Penelope Shumate has a crystal clear soprano, and can sing standing up, sitting down or laying on tables and floors. An exquisite Violetta. Throughout the story, her passion and her sense of insecurity were communicated by vocal subtlety of the highest degree. She is youthful and very beautiful..."
- Duluth News Tribune

Lisa - La Sonnambula - Baltimore Opera Company
"Shumate, as the innkeeper Lisa, sang with welcome fire..." - The Baltimore Sun

Lisa - La Sonnambula - Baltimore Opera Company
"Shumate (Lisa) has a voice with power..." - ionarts

Galatea - Acis and Galatea - Opera Roanoke
"Shumate has a pleasing, clear soprano well suited to the role of Galatea." - The Roanoke Times

Violetta - La Traviata - Glens Falls Symphony Orchestra
"Shumate sang her way through the very demanding lead role of Violetta with ease. Always in control of her powerful and supple voice, this very attractive young soprano gave a vocal performance not often heard this far north of New York City." - The Chronicle

Violetta - La Traviata - Glens Falls Symphony Orchestra
"As Violetta, Shumate was a delight. Her pure voice soared with strength on top. Her acting, however, is what held the large crowd's attention. She flirted and suffered. She laughed and was determined. Her "Sempre libera" aria in the first act was superb with the right amount of frustration and abandon." - The Post-Star

Violetta - La Traviata - Glens Falls Symphony Orchestra
"Shumate shines. Shumate was the star of the afternoon, coming up with a beautiful vocal and dramatic performance from start to finish. Her voice has a lovely quality and she has the technique to flutter through Violetta's demanding coloratura lines with confidence." - The Daily Gazette

Violetta - La Traviata - Glens Falls Symphony Orchestra
"Penny was a delight this past weekend. I couldn't have asked for a more professional, courteous, gracious or well voiced Violetta."

- Maestro Charles Peltz-Principal Conductor

Soprano Soloist - Carmina Burana - Carnegie Hall
"(Shumate's)performance was stunning and everyone should know about it. I find her ability to achieve a variety of vocal colors, that which is most appropriate for her specific aria, to be remarkable." - Maestro Jonathan Griffith-Principal Conductor of MidAmerica Productions

Papagena - Die Zauberflöte - Baltimore Opera Company
"Papagena was sung brightly by soprano Penny Shumate." - The Washington Post

Musetta - La Boheme - Center City Opera Theater
"Shumate's sexy and feisty Musetta a particular delight." - Au Courant News Magazine