Turandot, Palma de Mallorca, Spain, June, 1995 Diariade Mallorca, June 1, 1995
"On this occasion the theatre was fortunate to have, as the Princess, the able American soprano; a voice with power and a perfect, refined top register, who with her fiery expression and personality was the vocal star of the evening.
Norma, Genova, Italy, April 1994
La Repubblica, April 24, 1994
"Ms. DeMaio has also, inevitably, studied the lessons of the great Callas, using better methods [than the opening night cast] and, thanks to a more complete technique, was able to use the vocal effects of the Greek-American soprano in the middle and low registers: ‘voci di guerra’ ‘pili romani’ and ‘qual’consunta morra’ for example, already in the recitative that proceeds the cavatina of the first act, and also ‘d’esser lor madre’ and ‘troppo orrendo e un tal dubbio.’
In the andante ‘Casta Diva’...the B flat has a beautiful expansion and the coloratura passages are correct and fluid...as an interpreter Ms.DeMaio doesn’t lack the tragic stature required by the piece and is also effective in the sections requiring pathos."
Nabucco, Brussels, November, 1996
La libre Belique, November 24, 1996
"The American soprano Barbara DeMaio was a luscious Abigaille, putting together the ideal of eloquence and sensibility, with a notable grace and a very beautiful sound."
Derniere Heure, November 23, 1996
"The impressive technique of Barbara DeMaio who, it is true, is a Verdi specialist, offered moments of sumptuous musicality."
Aida, Rome, Italy, June, 1999
L’opera, Luglio-Agosto 1999
"For the evening this critique refers to, in the part of the beautiful Ethiopian slave Aida was the American Barbara DeMaio, gifted with a beautiful voice, beautiful pronunciation, and certainly mistress of the role since she was able to efficiently insert herself into the production at the last minute."
Norma, Ascoli Piceno, Italy, March, 1999
Amici della Musica, Aprile 1999
"In the cast...two names shown most brightly, the American soprano Barbara DeMaio in the part of Norma and the Milanese Alessandra Palomba in the part of Adalgisa. The first, at her best with a very difficult role, created an inspired interpretation; her Casta Diva will remain forever in the hearts of those who heard it.