Ruby Hughes - Press

Handel’s Last Prima Donna – Giulia Frasi in London on Chandos
with the OAE and Laurence Cummings

“With her limpid purity of tone, immaculately even coloratura and graceful sense of style, Hughes is in many ways ideal for this repertoire… The gentle beauty of Hughes’s voice, deployed with unfailing taste, can hardly fail to give pleasure, the music – not least the Queen of Sheba’s valedictory Will the sun forget to streak – often touches the sublime, while the non-Handel items will come as delightful discoveries to many.”
Richard Wigmore, Gramophone, May 2018

“Ruby Hughes’ vocalism fits Frasi’s song perfectly. Arias by Hayes, Ciampi and JC Smith – all recorded for the first time – are often simple in their design, but demand total control.  The pure-toned Hughes achieves this with ease and fresh-faced candour… this disc is a treat, illuminating why Frasi and her music demanded a huge following.”
Berta Joncus, BBC Music Magazine, May 2018

“Hughes is in delightful form throughout this collection and there are many highlights with the Handel works shining out like beacons. One of her finest performances is from the oratorio Susanna… With Hughes displaying her smooth, golden tone with both purity and with such excellent enunciation this is a persuasive depiction of the heroine’s vulnerability… An enthralling blend of established baroque works and new discoveries makes this satisfyingly performed album from Ruby Hughes particularly desirable…”
Michael Cookson, Music Web International, April 2018

“Hughes’s technical accomplishment is indisputable”
Curtis Rogers, Classical Source, April 2018

“Hughes’s honeyed tone is balm on the ears: there’s never a hint of shrillness and her impeccable diction means that you never have to refer to the texts. The Handel excerpts are wonderful, taken from Susanna, Theodora, Jephtha and Solomon… The rarities make this disc a mandatory purchase, though… Not just for baroque buffs: this is one of the most thrilling vocal recitals I’ve heard in ages.”
Graham Rickson, The Arts Desk, 31 March 2018

“Performances are excellent; the recording sumptuous – you can’t wait to ge to the next track.”
Andrew MacGregor and Simon Heighes, BBC Radio 3 Record Review, 17 March 2018

Ruby Hughes and Laurence Cummings interview. View film here
Classic FM, 9 March 2018

Handel’s last Prima Donna podcast.  Listen here
Gramophone, 2 March 2018

Read Ruby’s blog about Frasi here