ELIXIR OF LOVE - Opera Saratoga, NY

Maureen Francis is ideal as Adina. Not only is she magnificent in her solo spots, her clear, controlled soprano blends seamlessly and beautifully with Downen’s gentle reedy tenor. Their duets are gorgeous and her arias are breathtaking.

Saratogian, Bob Goepfert

LE NOZZE DI FIGARO - Opera Omaha, NE

Maureen Francis sparkled all evening as Susanna. A wonderful lyric soprano, she sang with a plush, supple voice that was creamy in its middle range and silvery in its top. As an actress, she was utterly convincing in creating a character of deep, forgiving love.

Omaha World-Herald, John Pitcher

PIRATES OF PENZANCE - Opera Omaha, NE

Soprano Maureen Francis, as Mabel, was certainly the most impressive of the singers. Her plush voice, silvery in its top range, deftly navigated several octaves' worth of vocal filigree.

Omaha World-Herald, John Pitcher

HANSEL & GRETEL - Chattanooga Symphony and Opera, TN

Hansel & Gretel magical. Ms.Francis charming us with her pure, soaring soprano voice and coquettish manner.

Chattanooga Times Free Press, Mel R. Wilhoit

UN BALLO IN MASCHERA - Bergen Opera, Bergen Norway

"Maureen Francis´ interpretation of Oscar bewitched us and was full of life."

Bergens Tidende, Glenn Erik Haugland

CAROUSEL – Shreveport Opera, LA

“The chemistry shared by the musicals’ main pair Billy Bigelow (Jason Detwiler) and Julie Jordan (Maureen Francis) was nicely realized in both vocal and stage work….. Francis' loving and innocent turn at Julie.”

Chevyland.com, Alexandyr Kent 03/19/07

RIGOLETTO - Chattanooga Symphony and Opera, TN

“Gilda’s showpiece, the caressing “Caro Nome,” is properly wispy and delicate as sung by Francis with a gentle, filigreed coloratura tones in a superbly controlled “less is more” manner. She also handles Gilda’s in disgrace sequence with noble beauty in Act II.”

Chattanooga Times, Nikki Hasden 01/27/07

RIGOLETTO – Chattanooga Symphony and Opera. TN

“The role of the naïve daughter Gilda is sensitively portrayed and sung with bell-like clarity by Maureen Francis. Her petite size conceals a rich and amazingly flexible voice: she definitely resembles a Broadway star more than the stereotypical Brunhilde. She actually looks and sounds like the role Verdi created.”

Chattanoogan.com, Mel Wilhoit, 01/23/07

GRENDEL - Los Angeles Opera

Perhaps the most exhilarating stroke of invention is the depiction of the Dragon, whom Grendel visits for advice ("Seek out gold -- but not my gold -- and sit on it"). In this version, she's a far-ranging mezzo draped in fiery red and green -- the great Denyce Graves, in a star turn -- with a trio of girl-group Dragonettes sprouting from her tail who reinforce her utterances.”

San Francisco Chronicle, Joshua Kosman

CENDRILLON – Summer Opera Theatre, Washington DC

"In the title role, Maureen Francis sang with fresh radiance."

The Washington Post, Cecelia Porter

GRENDEL - Los Angeles Opera/Lincoln Center Festival

“Mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves was supremely “diva-ish” as the jaded Dragon with the wonderful Dragonettes – Maureen Francis, Hanan Alattar and Jessica Swink – embedded in the tip of her stage enveloping tail.”

Opera West, David Gregson

CENDRILLON - Summer Opera Theatre, Washington DC

“Maureen Francis was a beautiful Cendrillon, vocally and physically. Her voice has become quite rich in tone but has retained a youthful lightness that was very pleasing.”

IONARTS, Charles T. Downey, 06/15/05

CENDRILLON - Summer Opera Theatre, Washington DC

“But the main reason this production sparkled was the exceptional, emotional performance of soprano Maureen Francis as Lisette, aka Cinderella. As her stepmother and garishly overdressed stepsisters took off for the President’s ball, Miss Francis stepped shyly from the wings clad in blue jeans and an oversized Washington National sweatshirt, immediately winning the audience’s collective heart. Endearing with a sweet, silvery voice to match, her innate goodness proved impossible to resist.”

Washington Times, T.L. Ponick 06/15/05

CENDRILLON – Summer Opera Theatre, Washington DC

"Ms. Francis has a beautiful lyrical soprano voice which was perfect for the role and she impressed for the entire afternoon!"

OPERA-L

DON GIOVANNI - Metro Lyric Opera NJ

“Whether wooed, vengeful or spurned by the lecherous title character, the three female soloists led this Don Giovanni to artistic satisfaction. Emotionally sincere soprano, Maureen Francis, singing Zerlina, created an earnest innocence that paired well with her hot-headed fiancée, Masetto.”

The Star Ledger, Frederick Kaimann

IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA - Lecco Opera Festival, Italy

“The soprano Maureen Francis (also from America) gave a wise lesson in bel canto singing with regard to agility in the voice, pleasant timbre and decisiveness. The voice, not exaggeratedly light was united with her beautiful presence in the scenes.”

La Provincia di Lecco, Roberto Zambonini

IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA - Treasure Coast Opera, FL

By far the highlight of the evening was the Rosina of Maureen Francis, a young coloratura of immense talent with all the pieces neatly in place. She sang the role with a warm, sparkling and deliciously appealing timbre. She phrased Rosina’s music clearly with a flexible coloratura. She comfortably negotiated all the high notes…Her stage presence was relaxed and compelling.”

The News, John Sayers