It was Joyce El-Khoury, however, in the role of Queen Elisabetta, who produced the standout performance of the evening. She gave an emotionally intense portrayal, her acting commanding attention throughout. However, it was her vocal brilliance which really impressed. Her ability to integrate her singing into the emotional state of the character was impressive with every word, every phrase carefully matched to the dramatic situation. Her vocal lines were crafted with such detail, and contained the subtlest of accents and dynamic variations, the type of which is able to turn a strong performance into a great one, and elevate a singer above the rest of the cast. Her quality, of course, is founded upon her strong technique and interpretative intelligence, but she also possesses a voice which has an innate beauty, which she is able to burnish with a variety of colors.