Dalibor

"And then two people had to step into those significant lead roles. Happily, both performers were remarkable in Smetana’s challenging and dramatic music... Soprano Cadie J. Bryan exulted in the dramatic range of the role. She seemed, as in her duets with Erica Petrocelli, to be completely enjoying the performance in which a major vocal range is required...Both of these roles are remarkably demanding, with the opera providing exciting moments, and the leads arriving late to the production more than rose to those challenges. Their singing was visceral and thrilling... When [Petrocelli]  and Bryan sang together, with those two perfectly shaded and powerful soprano voices, genuine sparks flew. That they both seemed to revel in such moments made it all the more enjoyable."

Matt Costello | OPERAWIRE

August 11, 2025

"Cadie J Bryan, who had initially been hired to cover, took over Milada and threw herself into the opera’s most compelling character with a vivid physicality and vibrantly pulsing high notes."

 Christopher Corwin | THE OBSERVER

August 11, 2025

"[Myers'] love duet with Cadie J. Bryan’s Milada was ravishing. Bryan was the embodiment of courage, vocally and visually, and everything about her singing impressed, especially her thrilling high notes."

Rick Perdian | SEEN AND HEARD INTERNATIONAL

August 3, 2025

"The tenor John Matthew Myers and the soprano Cadie J. Bryan took the lead roles on short notice because of visa issues with the original cast, and despite some restlessness in the parts, acquitted themselves nicely. Myers’s muscular sound, with more power than ping on top notes, and Bryan’s brightly reactive voice gave Dalibor and Milada a compelling vocal profile."

Oussama Zahr | THE NEW YORK TIMES

August 3, 2025

"Erika Petrocelli and Cadie J. Bryan (another late replacement)—both gave standout performances."

Richard Sasanow | BROADWAY WORLD

August 2, 2025

"Meanwhile, the young and fresh light lyric soprano Cadie J. Bryan (a late addition to the cast due to the originally announced Dalibor and Milada canceling because of visa problems) stretched herself to the limit as Milada, her high-placed voice unfurling rich tone at the top that soared over the orchestra... Bryan never wavered and delivered radiant singing throughout. She is also a lovely stage figure, moving elegantly on the stage while conveying deep engagement with the character."

Eli Jacobson | PARTERRE BOX

July 31, 2025

"Soprano Cadie J. Bryan as Milada, Dalibor’s lover and would-be liberator, manages the dramatically challenging transition from avenger to inamorata with dramatic commitment, impressive vocal versatility and great physical grace."

Charles Geyer | LA SCENA MUSICALE

July 31, 2025

"The two principal singers, late substitutions for European artists stymied by visa problems, acquitted themselves admirably—John Matthew Myers (Dalibor) with his enormous, clarion tenor and Cadie J. Bryan (Milada) with her sensitive soprano."

Heidi Waleson | THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

July 30, 2025

"Bard was lucky to find John Matthew Myers and Cadie J Bryan, who were both remarkable... Dalibor’s music goes from defiance to pleading to a Song to Freedom (in Act 3) and a ravishing love duet with plenty of exposed high notes. The same needs to be said about Bryan, whose radiant tone and nuanced singing almost condemned Dalibor early on, but whose noble love for him later was totally convincing."

Robert Levine | BACHTRACK

July 30, 2025

"The singing was mighty, especially remarkable since tenor John Matthew Myers (Dalibor) and soprano Cadie J. Bryan (Milada, the rescuer), both lyric voices with extra power, replaced singers who ran into visa problems. They brought needed magnetism to all vocal and dramatic challenges posed by the rather improbable libretto."

David Patrick Stearns | CLASSICAL VOICE NORTH AMERICA

July 29, 2025

"As Milada, soprano Cadie J. Bryan began stricken, her voice nearly strangled by grief, before scorching high notes broke through into a stage-commanding performance."

Evan Berkowitz | THE BERKSHIRE EAGLE

July 29, 2025