Celena Shafer – Press

“..“A Little Bit in Love” from “Wonderful Town” and “Glitter and Be Gay” from “Candide,” were all memorably rendered by soprano Celena Shafer, who did more than just sing them: she lived through them”

“Shafer in particular displayed a contagious joy while she sang.”

“…But it was coloratura soprano Celena Shafer who brought the house down with her diamond-cut rendition of ‘Glitter and Be Gay’ from ‘Candide.’”

“A highlight was coloratura soprano Celena Shafer’s and mezzo-soprano Suzanna Guzmán’s charming poignancy in ‘Ohio’ from ‘Wonderful Town.’… …Shafer’s rendition of the fiendishly difficult ‘Candide’ coloratura showpiece, ‘Glitter and Be Gay,’ brought the audience to its feet.”

“The soloists were universally solid… [with] …Shafer displaying vocal gymnastics in ‘Glitter and Be Gay’ from Candide…”

“Celena Shafer, leading a nicely matched quartet of soloists, sang the ‘Et incarnatus est’ section with such warmth and beauty, the other musicians had to take a moment before proceeding with the ‘Sanctus.’”

“…the real show stopper is Celena Shafer as Musetta, Marcello’s flirtatious love interest with a heart of gold. Her voice is so controlled and beautiful, and her performance so on point, that you can’t help but root for the lady, even when she’s toying with our hero’s heart.”

“…she’s still a force of nature, and she put on a veritable singing clinic in Act 2. Like Marcello, you’ll probably find that resistance is futile.”

“…she still commands the fulsome beauty of tone many of us remember from the start of her career.”

“…Bisected by the waltz ‘Voices of Spring,’ composed by Johann Strauss Jr. and sung by the gifted, silver-voiced soprano Celena Shafer. A Utah native who continues to make her home in the state, she wowed the crowd—and with good reason, given her technical facility and unaffected manner.”