Opera San Antonio delivers stunning "Butterfly." "The night as always with this opera, belonged to the soprano, Maria Kanyova as Butterfly grew, scene by scene, from a giddy geisha teen to a full-grown adult, afflicted by desperate love. Kanyova, a veteran of this role on numerous big opera stages, sang with her soul, her powerful nuanced voice bigger than her petite figure. Everything from her glances to her hand gestures added to the drama. Her "One Fine Day" aria drew avid applause. Kanyova's farewell aria to her son was heartbreaking. . . . Jacob Aidan as (Kanyova's real son) was a charming little scene stealer who enchanted the audience of about 1450 which included the mayor." Madama Butterfly,  Opera San Antonio   October 1, 2015, David Hendricks, MYSA ​ "Ms. Kanyova's Butterfly is gracefully drawn, using convincing body language and shy gestures without resorting to the mincing walk and tittering behind a fan that we've seen too many times. . . . Her instrument is attractive, flexible and well-nuanced, especially in the familiar “Un Bel Di” aria (“One fine day he will return”)" Oct. 3, 2015 Diane Windeler, Incidentlight.com "As Pat Nixon, soprano Maria was positively radiant, her gorgeous lyric soprano more vivid than her bright-red “going to China” designer dress. Her extended aria “This is prophetic!” was nothing less than mesmerizing, sending my imagination into flights of anticipation—I want to hear her sing Emilia Marty in The Makropulos Case or Minnie in The Girl of the Golden West! Or any of the familiar verismo roles she has already tucked into her impressive resume." Nixon in China San Diego Opera March 15, 2015 The San Diego Story Ken Herman "Maria Kanyova, who has been singing the role since the production's first appearance in 2004. . . , shows insight and mastery in Pat Nixon's extensive scene that includes the famous aria. Nixon in China, San Diego Opera March 21, 2015 William Burnett Operawarhorses.com "As Pat Nixon, lustrous voiced Maria Kanyova was the girl next door who dearly loved the husband with whom she was swept up in history." Nixon in China, San Diego Opera March 25, 2015 Maria Nockin Opera Today "As Gretel, Maria Kanyova sang gracefully and was wonderfully endearing in her gawky physical movements as an awkward little girl." Hänsel und Gretel Lyric Opera of Chicago Dec. 8, 2012 Lawrence A. Johnson Chicago Sun Times "Lyric's revival smacks of old home week, with two of it's Ryan Opera Center success stories . . . .Maria Kanyova (who, incidentallly, had doubled as Sandman and Dewfairy in Lyric's previous "Hansel and Gretel") . . . commanded enough vocal heft to comfotably ride the score's rich orchestration." Hänsel und Gretel Lyric Opera of Chicago December 8, 2012 John Von Rhein Chicago Tribune "All turn out to be excellent actors and most are also excellent singers who have a long history with this production, which originated at St. Louis Opera Theatre in 2004. Orth and Kanyova, especially, capture the full power of each character, dramatically as well as vocally." Nixon in China Canadian Opera Co. Feb. 6, 2011 John Terauds The Toronto Star "As Marie Antoinette, Missouri native Maria Kanyova"s striking looks are matched only by her soaring soprano, and she handles the dramatic elements wisely as well." The Ghosts of Versailles OTSL June 23, 2009 Mark Bretz The Ladue News "The fragile presence of the excellent Maria Kanyova, clad in simple white as Marie Antoinette, more than once brought to mind the waiflike Teresa Stratas." The Ghosts of Versailles OTSL June 25, 2009 George Loomis Financial Times "Ms. Kanyova has a responsive soprano, with a hint of metal that stands her in good stead in dramatic segments, but she can also scale her voice down to float effective pianissimi that veritably float above the staff. She was a worthy successor to the great Teresa Stratas who created the role." The Ghosts of Versailles OTSL June, 2009 James Sohre Opera Today