“Dragana Radakovic as Santuzza starts with highly textured vibrato, apt for the emotional distress of the character, which moulds itself into expressive but mellifluous lines of powerful force and flexible colour.”
Peter McCallum, Associate Professor at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and Chair of the Academic Board at the University of Sydney, for Sydney Morning Herald.
“Dragana Radakovic performs with furocity, but also with a shot of erotic challenge. Her soprano is certanly turbulent, splendidly clean in the middle registar and continues to the exposed heights remarkably glaringly, impressivly droping to deep registers, exactly as Verdi has intended in order to characterize the energetic, revengeful impetus of an injured soul with the sound jumps... Strong applause.”
Andreas Berger, Chairman of Richard Wagner Assosiation Braunschweig, for Braunschweiger Zeitung.
“Dragana Radakovic majestic… Radakovic's singing was steely, true and incisive, creating a majestic persona of imperious haughtiness… where Turandot is suddenly transformed from ice princess to human, Radakovic sang with passionate intensity”
Peter McCallum, Associate Professor at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney, for Sydney Morning Herald.
“The crucial role of Santuzza was triumphantly brought off by Dragana Radakovic, who had a lovely liquidity to her voice.”
David Larkin, Senior Lecturer in musicology at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney, for Bachtrack.
"… dramatic soprano of fearsome power and laser beam intonation, she’s only been singing the role for two years, but surely must rank among the finest Turandots today… her inexorable ascent towards the culmination of "In questa reggia" is a thing of wonder, her tone steady, her top notes steely and thrilling."
Clive Paget, Editor, for Limelight Magazine.
"Whether in the solos, duos or trios, Dragana Radakovic, with her brilliant vocal abilities and strong presence established herself as the star of the evening. Her perfectly managed sensual voice translated Leonora into a strong, determined and at the same time charming woman.
Ati Metwaly, Journalist
for Ahram Online, Al Ahram Weekly, Egypt as it is, Music.
“As his two love interests, Radakovic and Princeva are nicely contrasted. The former was a magnificent, crystalline Turandot on the harbour last year, but here she displays a warmer, richer voice, especially in the middle register. She has a potent bottom too, and knows how to deploy it without ever resorting to coarseness or clumsiness. Voi lo sapete, o mamma is movingly done as, wrapped up in her painfully sensible clothes, Radakovic captures the loneliness of the outsider turned outcast.”
Clive Paget, Editor, NYC, for Limelight Magazine.
"Dragana Radakovic sings the role of Turandot with a chilling intensity,
her electrifying, acerbic voice capturing all the nuances of the personality burdened by history and destiny. She maintains the idea of a woman aloof from pleasure until the final moments of the opera."
John Daly-Peoples, Arts critic, for The National Business Review.
"Soprano Dragana Radakovic turned in a spectacular performance on opening night — she’s a true dramatic soprano with the perfect voice for Santuzza role: huge, precise and agile with a brittle, tough but still very attractive edge. She never seems to be holding anything back, and it’s a thrill to hear a vocal powerhouse give her absolute best."
Ben Neutze, Arts and Culture Editor, for Daily Review.
“Dragana Radakovic as Turandot makes a thoroughly convincing ice queen and her steely vocal quality cuts through the night like the blade of the executioners knife. Radakovic successfully transitions her character from ice queen to a woman touched by love for the first time and it is a testament to her interpretation of the character and the quality of the production as a whole that we are able to empathize with this blood thirsty woman.”
Eliza Rozeboom Eggler, Journalist, for Australian Stage.
"... possess the high-voltage sound needed for the title role of Turandot"
Dr David Larkin, Senior Lecturer in musicology at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney, for Bachtrack.
"As the strident Turandot, Dragana Radakovic brought assured strength and clarity to the title role, especially in the demanding In questa reggia."
Joyce Morgan, Writer and Author, for Huffpost.
"Dragana Radakovic brings a luscious voice and glamorous presence."
Bill Stephens OAM, Radio presenter, for Canberra Critics Circle.
"… dramatic soprano Dragana Radakovic is an impressive, imperious Turandot with a powerhouse voice, which has a steely glint."
Jo Litson, Editor, for Limelight
Magazine.
“Soprano Dragana Radakovic was a convincing Santuzza, both vocally and dramatically. She played the betrayed lover with great passion and sorrow before vengeance took its toll.”
Alastair Jackson, Radio presenter, for Australian Book Review.
"Dragana Radakovic is captivating as Turandot and is among some of the best performers to take the role in recent years. Every note is arresting and strong.”
Eden Caceda, Journalist.