Orfeo
Lyric @ Illinois | KCPA Tryon Festival Theatre

"Because this opera is written in a Renaissance/Baroque style and employs neo-platonic allegorical personas, such as Music and Mercy, it might seem antiquated to a modern audience. But, such is the power of Monteverdi's music, and the splendid staging of this production that the opening night performance had strong emotional power. All aspects, singing, dancing, instrumental episodes, scenic design and lighting, united to bring out the still vital forces in this masterwork."

"Music director Andrea Solya's conducting drew a well-coordinated performance from the chorus, the pit orchestra, the string players on stage and the quartet of trombones from the balcony. Dawn Harris' direction maintained a lively flow of action, and Rachel Rizzuto's choreography gave delight to the eye. The costumes designed by Khetag Tsabolov, in rustic Bulgarian style, combined the realistic and picturesque. Brian Sidney Bembridge's scenic design created splendid vistas, especially the green world at the end of the opera. The lighting design by Sarah Goldstein aptly underlined the dramatic crises of the story. Others who contributed to such an accomplished production were sound designer Lizi Shaul, media designer Lili Federico and stage manager Jessica Reddig."

John Frayne, The News Gazette