(Photo: Robert Walker)
Erica Jeal [The Guardian, 17 December 2005]

A few winners of the Cardiff Singer of the World competition have shot to stardom, but most have built their careers more steadily - including the Swedish mezzo Katarina Karneus, who took home the trophy a decade ago. This recital was one of Radio 3's lunchtime series, broadcast live, in which one often finds the more interesting up-and-coming singers in the Wigmore Hall's calendar. In the case of a singer as accomplished as Karneus, currently making an impression as ENO's Xerxes, it is perhaps a surprise that she hasn't already become more of an evening fixture at this venue. At the same time, there was a feeling of restraint, even nervousness, to her performance that made one wonder if, at the moment, she might feel more at home on the operatic stage.