PRESS
"Meriel Cunningham's dreamy Iolanthe is especially moving"
THE STAGE
ROSINA / The Barber of Seville
Charles Court Opera / 2024
“… None more hilarious than Meriel Cunningham as Rosina. This is one of the great mezzo-soprano roles, and Cunningham takes it to the next level, colouring the voice with self-deprecating humour and communicating with wide eyes... the standout star”
CULTURE WHISPER / Claudia Pritchard
“Standout factors included Meriel Cunningham's Rosina - replete with remarkable contralto depths, and a consistent ability to get around all the notes
OPERA MAGAZINE / George Hall
“Cunningham is a shining star as a bright-eyed Rosina who has no trouble reaching the high notes and enlivening her presence in this male-dominated opera.”
BROADWAY WORLD / Franco Milazzo
“Cunningham canters away with the show as an imperious Rosina with startlingly forceful low notes”
THE TIMES / Neil Fisher
“Meriel Cunningham is hysterical throughout as the loyal Trojan, and she brings a gorgeous tone.”
THE TELEGRAPH / Marianka Swain
“Meriel Cunningham is the one who really stands out… Cunningham has an unusual, resonantly deep singing voice – at times reminiscent of an old-fashioned contralto – and it’s rich like mulled wine, every note delivered impeccably. She is also a very gifted actor who completely inhabits her role with understated equine snorts, knowing coy looks at the audience and delightfully nuanced, very funny, body work. Her sozzled, incomprehensible Dionysus is another masterclass in comedy.”
MUSICAL THEATRE REVIEWS / Susan Elkin
"Among an exceptionally strong set of performers, the marvellous Meriel Cunningham is outstanding: blessed with a stunning mezzo-soprano voice, Cunningham has perfect comic timing and the ability to prompt laughter with a look or an almost imperceptible movement.”
LAST MINUTE THEATRE TICKETS / Louis Mazzini
"Meriel Cunningham plays the horse as a home counties good-guy – but her tiny cameo as a drunken Dionysus muttering incomprehensible comments had me on the floor."
PLAYS TO SEE / Owen Davies
TROJAN / Odyssey: A Heroic Panto
Jermyn St Theatre/ 2023
PHOEBE / The Yeomen of the Guard
The National G&S Opera Co. / 2023
“Among the cast – there are some outstanding performances... Meriel Cunningham shows remarkable vocal quality and lively characterisation as Phoebe.”
THEATRE REVIEWS NORTH / Robert Beale
“Backed up by a superb cast: Meriel Cunningham an amusing Phoebe”
THE DAILY MAIL / Tully Potter
“Cunningham made Phoebe Meryll more noticeable than usual”
OPERA MAGAZINE / Hugh Canning
“Cunningham is mesmerising - an excellent actor, she has a flexible mezzo capable of conveying the power and the allure of this complex woman…”
THE STAGE / Amanda Holloway
CARMEN / Becoming Carmen
Prologue Opera / 2022
LADY ANGELA / Patience
Charles Court Opera / 2022
“A cast on fire… and the marvellous Meriel Cunningham were prime inter pares.”
OPERA NOW / Robert Thicknesse
“Patience (Catriona Hewitson) and Angela (Meriel Cunningham) were also memorable for their singing … the two voices blending beautifully.”
SEEN AND HEARD INTERNATIONAL / Raymond Walker
“Our three Bunthorne groupies were perfect, too: Meriel Cunningham's Lady Angela and Jennie Jacobs' Lady Saphir glamorous in their get-up, razor-sharp funny in their delivery”
THE ARTS DESK / David Nice
“But it is the performers who really steal the show. Each and every one of them is infused with brilliant comedic timing, pulling off each joke superbly.”
BROADWAY WORLD / Michael Higs
"Stand-outs among the principals for me were… Meriel Cunningham (Iolanthe), who has a rich mezzo-soprano tone and real clarity.”
THEATRE REVIEWS NORTH / Robert Beale
IOLANTHE / Iolanthe
National G&S Opera Co / 2022
PRINCESS KALYBA / Utopia Ltd
National G&S Opera Co / 2022
“Rachel Speirs and Meriel Cunningham are winningly mercurial and mischievous as Zara’s younger sisters, Nekaya and Kalyba”
CLASSICAL SOURCE / Curtis Rogers
“The comic duets between Raina’s maid Louka (Meriel Cunningham) and her betrothed Sergius (Robin Bailey) winningly pitted coyness and calculation”
OPERA MAGAZINE / Claire Seymour
LOUKA / The Chocolate Soldier
Opera della Luna / 2022
REGINA / The Princess of Trebizonde
New Sussex Opera / 2021
“Flaum and Cunningham brought a great sense of style and engagement with their characters, making their presence on stage always a delight.”
PLANET HUGILL
“Not to be outdone, Meriel Cunningham as her mezzo sister Regina matched tangy tone with skill in doing the splits”
OPERA / Yehuda Shapiro
“Standouts include… Meriel Cunningham’s Regina”
THE STAGE / George Hall
“Meriel Cunningham’s dreamy Iolanthe is especially moving in her entreaty to the Lord Chancellor... Cunningham holds her own alongside G&S veteran Richard Suart…”
THE STAGE / Edward Bhesania
“Meriel Cunningham and Natalie Davies are lush casting as the errant Iolanthe and commanding Queen of the Fairies”
THE SUNDAY TIMES / Hugh Canning
