Paula Wilder-Gaubert (alias Goodman Wilder)
reviews
Agathe in West Bay Opera's Der Freischütz
“The reverent cavatina “Und ob die Wolke sie verhülle,” as delivered by Wilder at the opening of Act 3, is alone worth the price of admission (to both the Lucie Stern Theatre and Heaven!); it’s one of the most transcendent moments in all opera.”
Jeff Kalis, San Francisco Classical Voice, Feb 20, 2010
“Paula Goodman Wilder (Agathe) and Patrycja Poluchowicz (Annchen) sang exceptionally well, both individually and in their duets. Wilder was
outstanding throughout, sang Agathe's scene and aria ("Wie nahte mir der
Schlummer") with an impressive combination of restraint and star power.”
Janos Gereben, Opera-L Feb 21, 2010
“The female voices, [...] were outstanding. Agathe, performed by Paula Goodman Wilder who has a creamy coloratura, came close to perfection with "Leise, Leise" [sic] (... though clouds obscure, still shines the sun ...).”
Mort Levine, San Jose Mercury News, Feb 24, 2010
“Wilder's Agathe has some utterly lovely moments, most notably in her Act 2 aria that is essentially a prayer to forestall her sense of foreboding”
Chad Jones, Palo Alto Weekly, Feb 26, 2010
Senta in West Bay Opera's Flying Dutchman
“... [Paula Wilder’s] voice remained solid and beautiful up to the thrilling high B that capped their truly glorious final duet.”
J. Serinus, OPERA NEWS August 2008, vol 73. no 2
“...a strikingly powerful Senta. [...] The two principals sang surpassingly well, individually, and — especially — in the Act 2 duet. [...] Nagel’s self-effacing artistry and Wilder’s passionate performance melded so well musically that they provided a true peak moment.”
-Janos Gereben, San Francisco Classical Voice, May 27, 2008
“...Wilder captivated with the penetrating and soaring beauty of her upper register.”
-Keith Kreitman, San Mateo Daily Journal, May 27, 2008
“[...] As Senta, soprano Paula Goodman Wilder was [...] a worthy heroine and actress opposite the Dutchman, with the rafter-ringing notes to match his [...] and a warmth of tone much needed as Senta falls in love. The concluding warm-glow love duet was fittingly the musical highlight of the evening. ”
-Paul Hertelendy, artssf.com, Week of May 24-31, 2008
“The principal singers I heard at Sunday's matinee performance were nothing short of superb, [...] Paula Goodman Wilder, as the adoring Senta, charms the audience with her youthful infatuation and then wows them with her vigorous soprano. Wagner's music demands both range and a full-bodied sound from his singers and Wilder is clearly up to the challenge.”
- Jeanie Forte, Palo Alto Weekly, May 30, 2008
“Fortunately for the Dutchman and for West Bay Opera, Senta, the pure though slightly dippy woman who loves the Dutchman even before they meet, was portrayed on opening night by Paula Goodman Wilder. Her singing was strong and beautiful. She captured the difficult music and characterization securely enough to insure redemption of the Dutchman and of the whole presentation.”
- Leslie Friedman, Los Altos Town Crier, May 28, 2008
Minnie in Rimrock Opera's Girl of the Golden West
"Rimrock Opera Company brought Puccini's classic "Girl of the Golden West" to the Alberta Bair Theater with an outstanding cast led by Paula Goodman Wilder...”
Billings Gazette,October 28, 2007
"As Minnie, soprano Paula Goodman Wilder nailed a few heart-stopping scenes as a woman set to save an outlaw...”
- Jaci Webb, Billings Gazette, October 26, 2007
Tatyana in North Bay Opera's Eugene Onegin
"Wilder's Tatyana was impetuous, petulant, naïve, spoiled --Nanny babies her, even putting her floppy arms into her dressing gown -- but most of all, in love. In the famous "Letter" scene ("I had to write"), Wilder's singing was gorgeous but her acting was, if possible, even more dramatic. From desk to chair to floor she moved, lying down and rolling, singing from her prone position as beautifully as she did standing.”
- Marilyn Mantay, Daily Republic, March 13, 2007 click here for .pdf
"As Onegin's even younger admirer, Tatyana, Paula Goodman Wilder displayed a warm, lyric sound and impressive dynamic range. She easily navigated the long lines and her diction was nicely inflected.”
-- Kathryn Miller, San Francisco Classical Voice March 13, 2007
Minnie in Berkeley Opera's Girl of the Golden West
“Wednesday's performance, the second of four, was notable particularly for soprano Paula Goodman Wilder's gutsy, vigorous performance as Minnie. She tore into the role right from its opening scene, with a throaty vocal force that was irresistible, [...] full-bodied and impeccably placed.”
-- Joshua Kosman, San Francisco Chronicle, July 21, 2006
Manon in West Bay Opera's Manon Lescaut
"The leads, sung at the Sunday afternoon performance by Paula Goodman Wilder as Manon Lescaut and by Gabriel Reoyo-Pazos as her lover Chevalier des Grieux, were spine-tingling in their perfection. Rarely does one hear such a rich and unforced tenor voice and the beauty of Wilder's upper register could bring tears to anyone's eyes.”
-- Keith Kreitman, Tri-Valley Herald, February 21, 2006
Lady Macbeth in Berkeley Opera's Macbeth
"Goodman Wilder had the characterization down and can command attention. Her brindisi was rhythmically pointed, ironically undercutting the drinking-song pleasantries of the lyrics. The sleepwalking scene was extremely well done, with all kinds of distressed vocal colors – a dramatic high point, as Verdi designed it.”
---Michael Zweibach, San Francisco Classical Voice, May 10, 2005
"[...] my bet is on Herrera and the striking Lady Macbeth, Paula Goodman Wilder, being able to make an impression in a much bigger house [...] Goodman Wilder provided a vibrant, intense Lady Macbeth.”
-- Janos Gereben Opera-L, May 8, 2005
