Presse
In Concert with the Akron Symphony, Jeannette Sorrell, cond. “Sorrell chose Mozart's lovely ‘Exsultate, jubilate’ to show off one of the evening’s soloists, the young soprano Malia Bendi Merad. The small orchestra allowed Merad’s delicate, fresh soprano to be heard, even though E.J. Thomas Hall’s acoustics are not a particularly supportive environment. Merad’s focused, sweet tone was well suited to Mozart’s style, and she negotiated the florid writing with a wonderful clarity and purity. She handled difficult jumps between registers with impressive consistency. It will be a pleasure to watch this gifted young singer develop.” Elaine Guregian, Akron Beacon Journal
As Sandman/Dew Fairy in Hänsel und Gretel with the Cleveland Orchestra, Franz Welser-Möst, cond. “Malia Bendi Merad trilled and soothed in a clear sweet voice in the mirroring roles of Sandman and Dew Fairy.” Laura Kennelly for Considered Opinions “The double role of Sandman and Dew Fairy is sung by soprano Malia Bendi Merad, who works their gentle magic with quiet good taste.” Frank Hruby for W C L V.
As Marphise in Royer’s Le Pouvoir de l’amour, Oberlin Conservatory “ Ms Merad … with a perfectly placed, expressive soprano … proved a singer to watch.” The Wall Street Journal
Messiah with Apollo’s Fire/Cleveland Baroque Orchestra, Richard Egarr, cond. “Soprano Malia Bendi Merad …sang with sweetness, agility and imaginative embellishments.” Wilma Salisbury, Cleveland Plain Dealer
“Malia Bendi Merad is the real standout: a soprano with a magical voice of Snow White-like delicacy.” Jerome Crossley, WCLV
“Soprano Malia Bendi Merad, looking like an angelic Reese Witherspoon, sang angelically as well, her clear, agile soprano hitting the highest, trickiest passages with bell-like clarity, conveying the joyous nature of her message, especially in ‘I Know that my Redeemer Lives.’” Laura Kennelly for Considered Opinions
In Recital at the Steans Institute, Ravinia Festival “Grier’s setting of excerpts from the 1915 ‘Spoon River Anthology’ of Edgar Lee Masters broke no new ground, but was a fine narrative showcase for Steans singers soprano Malia Bendi Merad, mezzo Brenda Patterson... Ably accompanied by Steans vocal chair Margo Garrett, Patterson and the Algerian-born Merad are especially young singers to watch.” Andrew Patner, Web review