“But the baritone Gabriel Rollinson is the real star here. He has a healthy, fast vibrato — plus a true calling for Still’s mature, “universal” aesthetic, which sought to bridge the music of Europe and the United States. Rollinson sings the French of the “Poème” just as authoritatively as he does the text of a spiritual in “Here’s One,” during which he contrasts the conclusion of a ringing phrase with a disarming movement into vocal smoothness. He knows how to keep these interpretations vital.”
The New York Times
“When a mezzo-soprano in sparkling silver is urgently, emphatically reading out passages from Virginia Woolf’s novel Orlando, accompanied by a guitarist wearing a ruff and velvet slippers, you can’t help doing a double-take and wondering if you’re hallucinating. But no, this was all part of a remarkable concert by the mezzo Ema Nikolovska and the guitarist Sean Shibe at the Bath Festival — and if I say that the experience felt like being awake in a vivid dream, I do so as a compliment.”
The Guardian
“Yajie Zhang - a voice that is something to look out for.”
Operawire
“Sophie was charming debutante Sarah Gilford, whose lyric soprano fitted the role like a glove - more from her, please.”
Opera Now
“Sehr schön der reiche und dunkel timbrierte Klang, mit dem Serafina Starke aus Barbarinas „L’ho perduta“ eine vokale Gemme formte.”
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
“Die Auftritte des jungen, betörend lyrischen Countertenors Elmar Hauser als schwuler Buddenbrook Rebell gehören zu den Höhepunkten des Abends.”
Opernwelt
“"Zum Schweben geriet die “Alt-Rhapsodie”. Betörend Noa Beinart. Mit atemberaubender Innigkeit ließ sie die Einsamkeit eines Menschen spüren, famos harmonierte ihre schön timbrierte Alt-Stimme mit dem Chor."”
