Local Santa Cruz:
-"The Symphony’s production of the opera was a musical triumph"
-"Last weekend’s performances received waves of laughter and wholehearted standing ovations from an audience spanning all backgrounds and ages. With the Santa Cruz Symphony providing such electrifying presentations, it’s clear why"
-"The soloists, Stewart, and the Santa Cruz Symphony managed the musical and theatrical mechanisms with extraordinary style, skill, and ease. Under Stewart’s guiding hand, the orchestra had a natural swing and closely timed collaboration with the singers."
Santa Cruz Sentinel:
-"The three hour show was rapturously received by a full house."
-"Where else could you find so many New York Metropolitan Opera soloists performing together on stage in one place?"
-"Stewart did an admirable job working to keep a splendid balance between the singers and the instrumentalists"
Peninsula Reviews:
-"The Santa Cruz Symphony under the direction of conductor Daniel Stewart presented a thrilling performance of Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia to a sold out audience"
-"Quite obviously the time and work spent in NY with the Metropolitan Opera has paid huge dividends for Maestro Stewart. His experience in opera was quite evident as he bobbed and weaved through the melodic lines while the orchestra created crisp, clean entries and wonderful dynamic balance."
-"The all-star cast assembled for this exciting performance included Ginger Costa-Jackson as Rosina, Victor Ryan Robertson as Count Almaviva, John Michael Moore as Figaro, Steven Condy as Dr. Bartolo, Ryan Speedo Green as Don Basilio, Susanne Mentzer as Berta, and Hadleigh Adams as Fiorello. Special kudos were deserved by stage director David Paul and choral director Cheryl Anderson"
Performing Arts Monterey Bay:
-"A superb presentation….Excellent throughout….Brilliant….Well-controlled and a delight to watch…..Both well-played and well-sung….Very impressive"
-"This performance left me very pleased. To hear such a quality Barber was an unexpected thrill. "
-"I would hope that the Santa Cruz Symphony will continue in future to venture into this kind of opera production. To present an opera as I saw it, with top young singers, imaginative staging and full orchestra, fulfills a need. It will keep opera alive and well"