Opera Box Press Comments

E-Mail us at:
opera-box@international.freeserve.co.uk

President: Ian Wallace O.B.E Patrons: Anne Evans, Josephine Veasey C.B.E

Information Programme for 2000 Tower Project Press Comments

OPERA BOX
(In an article about open-air performance at Stately Homes)
Those that stage full length operas with musical ensemble, are the elite. One of these is Opera Box....
(Anthony Everitt, Financial Times, 6/6/98)
THE TALES OF HOFFMANN
The Tales of Hoffmann.... as part of the Brighton Festival was rip roaring operatic entertainment.... simply magnificent. (The doll scene) brought the house down. This production showed opera can provide good old-fashioned belly laughs.... the production was fast and professional and the singing and the music, sublime..... should have been on for a fortnight, not one night.
(John Eccles, West Sussex Gazette, May 98 - Brighton Festival)
Seasoned opera-lovers and novices alike would have found much of note in last nights splendid version of Offenbachs The Tales of Hoffmann. Acclaimed company Opera Box imbued the adventures of the 19th century poet with enough latter-day wit to charm any modern audience.
(James Morrison, Argus 19/5/98 - Brighton Festival)
The ensemble singing, in English is first rate and its soloists exciting. Production values are high..... and costumes well-designed to the style of the 19th century. The whole show has punch, verve and some wonderful comic touches.
(Mike Howard, Uproar May 98 - Brighton Festival)
MADAM BUTTERFLY
As Butterfly, Fiona O'Neill gave a captivating opening night performance which developed significantly in dramatic stature as she revealed the inner depths of the character.... Linda Hibberd was impressive too as Butterflys faithful servant Suzuki.
(David Ross, The Daily Echo, Bournemouth & Poole, Oct 1998)
Fiona O'Neill, in the title role, has a powerful, melodious voice...... full marks for atmosphere and costumes, too.
(Cheshire & Flintshire Herald & Post 3/98 - Rhyl)
The set was simple and effective and the orchestra.... breathed life into Puccinis score. Fiona O'Neill (Butterfly) sang this exacting role beautifully. The audience clearly enjoyed this performance.
(Surrey Advertiser 24/4/98 - Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford)
A packed audience were well served by this lush production. This was one of the early sell-outs and those who had tickets had a real treat.... The National Chamber Orchestra of Wales gave a rich, full backing to a beautifully lit production that had the audience calling out for more.
(David Marston, Exeter Express & Echo 19.7.97 Exeter Festival)
THE PEARL FISHERS
The splendid Lesley Echo Ross sang Leila with feeling and clarity, finely timed, and emotionally charged. Henry Newman (Zurga).... powerful of voice and commanding of presence.
(Roger Bing, Croydon Advertiser 8.8.97 Cannizaro Park)
First class singing and acting by the four principals and the chorus.
(D N Jones, The Mail, Bangor 16.5.97)
Simply stunning......the haunting beauty of the singing seduced our senses, not once but again and again.
(Margaret Burgess, Surrey Advertiser 21.3.97)
Box of Fine Operatic Pearls.........A tremendous performance both vocally and dramatically, from all the members of a great little opera company.
(SAC, Farnham Herald 28.3.97)
(Opera Box) made their debut in splendid style which had the audience clapping and cheering through several curtain calls. The seductive princess.... looked stunning and sang quite beautifully.....fine singing and moving acting.
(Roger Bing, Croydon Advertiser 14.2.97)
This touring company show what can really be done with a small company where the music is of a very high order across the board.
(Michael Staff, Eastbourne & District Advertiser 5.9.96)
DIE FLEDERMAUS
The near-capacity (1,000-seat) Marlowe Theatre audience loved this frothy and naughty tale of deceit and flirtation a splendid cast.
(Donald Hollins, Kentish Gazette 3.7.97)
As sparkling as the best champagne.......the singing and acting throughout was top drawer stuff, greatly appreciated by a large audience. Pure artistry, indeed.
(D N Jones, Caernafon Herald 25.5.97)
Opera Box..... carried the whole evening triumphantly. The singing from the entire cast was superlative.
(Richard Edmonds, Birmingham Post)
THE FLYING DUTCHMAN
Bridgett Gill sang beautifully as Senta....... Her duet with Brendan Wheatley, in rich voice and imposing as the anti-hero, was the high point, with the singers static and far from each other, yet filling the stage with passionate expression.
(Colin Davison, North Devon Journal 15.2.96)
MARY STUART
....... her story was brought splendidly alive in Opera Box's production. Bridgett Gill's Mary summons up a dignity and acceptance that is both beautiful and terrible to behold. This is first class singing and acting.
(Mike Howard, Brighton Evening Argos)
THE MAGIC FLUTE
An altogether magical evening.
(Jeannine Williamson, Brighton Evening Argos 15.8.95)
DON GIOVANNI
In all areas....... the cast performed faultlessly.
(Woking News and Mail 17.6.93)
The singing was wonderful..... I don't think I've ever heard Don Giovanni better sung.
(Margert Burgess, Surrey Advertiser 12.1.96)
TOSCA
To jaded regulars like me, it was a lesson to hear the score delivered so competently..... Terence Sharpe's Scarpia presents the villain straight, as a bloated baleful toad, with none of the dandyish manners that most Scarpias like to affect. His baritone rose potently to the key moments.
(David Murray, Financial Times 9.10.93)
Stunning classic costumes that would not have looked out of place at the Royal Opera.
(Alexander Waugh, Evening Standard 7.10.93)
I have rarely heard Vissi D'arte perfomed with so much confidence and skill. Bridgett Gill's voice appeared seamless, hitting every note faultlessly.
(South Wales Evening Post)
Bridgett Gill excelled in the title role.
(CHAD Mansfield 2.8.95)
Olympia's story admirably sung and performed. The orchestra, small in number, but totally up to the task of producing that necessary tingle factor! A team effort without the burden of star names, and all round good singing, makes Opera Box a company to look out for.
(Geoff Constantine, Surrey Advertiser, Jan 1999)
LA TRAVIATA
Her (Violetta's) voice was superb & As a spectacle, Opera Box's production was lovely &. The costumes were a delight &. Musically, the standard was consistently high.
(Jane Garrett, Surrey Advertiser, 8 Jan 1999)}

Opera Box
Management: Brendan Wheatley & Bridgett Gill
Administrator: Gayle Parsons
Company Office:
Opera Box Limited
Rhydyberi Cottages,
Merthyr Cynog,
Brecon,
Powys
LD3 9SA
Tel: 01874-690339
Tel/Fax: 01874-690254
Registered Charity No: 1073189
A Company Limited by Guarantee,Registration No: 3504181
VAT Registration No: 709681803
E-mail: opera-box@international.freeserve.co.uk

Produced by - P.Nixon 1/2/2000

OPERA BOX
(In an article about open-air performance at Stately Homes)
Those that stage full length operas with musical ensemble, are the elite. One of these is Opera Box....
	(Anthony Everitt, Financial Times, 6/6/98)

THE TALES OF HOFFMANN
The Tales of Hoffmann.... as part of the Brighton Festival was rip roaring operatic entertainment.... simply magnificent. (The doll scene) brought the house down. This production showed opera can provide good old-fashioned belly laughs.... the production was fast and professional and the singing and the music, sublime..... should have been on for a fortnight, not one night.
	(John Eccles, West Sussex Gazette, May 98 - Brighton Festival)

Seasoned opera-lovers and novices alike would have found much of note in last nights splendid version of Offenbachs The Tales of Hoffmann. Acclaimed company Opera Box imbued the adventures of the 19th century poet with enough latter-day wit to charm any modern audience.
	(James Morrison, Argus 19/5/98 - Brighton Festival)

The ensemble singing, in English is first rate and its soloists exciting. Production values are high..... and costumes well-designed to the style of the 19th century. The whole show has punch, verve and some wonderful comic touches.
	(Mike Howard, Uproar May 98 - Brighton Festival)

MADAM BUTTERFLY
As Butterfly, Fiona O'Neill gave a captivating opening night performance which developed significantly in dramatic stature as she revealed the inner depths of the character.... Linda Hibberd was impressive too as Butterflys faithful servant Suzuki.
	(David Ross, The Daily Echo, Bournemouth & Poole, Oct 1998)

Fiona O'Neill, in the title role, has a powerful, melodious voice...... full marks for atmosphere and costumes, too.
	(Cheshire & Flintshire Herald & Post 3/98 - Rhyl)

The set was simple and effective and the orchestra.... breathed life into Puccinis score. Fiona O'Neill (Butterfly) sang this exacting role beautifully. The audience clearly enjoyed this performance.
	(Surrey Advertiser 24/4/98 - Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford)

A packed audience were well served by this lush production. This was one of the early sell-outs and those who had tickets had a real treat.... The National Chamber Orchestra of Wales gave a rich, full backing to a beautifully lit production that had the audience calling out for more.
(David Marston, Exeter Express & Echo 19.7.97 Exeter Festival)

THE PEARL FISHERS
The splendid Lesley Echo Ross sang Leila with feeling and clarity, finely timed, and emotionally charged. Henry Newman (Zurga).... powerful of voice and commanding of presence.
	(Roger Bing, Croydon Advertiser 8.8.97 Cannizaro Park)
First class singing and acting by the four principals and the chorus.
	(D N Jones, The Mail, Bangor 16.5.97)

Simply stunning......the haunting beauty of the singing seduced our senses, not once but again and again.
	(Margaret Burgess, Surrey Advertiser 21.3.97)

Box of Fine Operatic Pearls.........A tremendous performance both vocally and dramatically, from all the members of a great little opera company.
	(SAC, Farnham Herald 28.3.97)

(Opera Box) made their debut in splendid style which had the audience clapping and cheering through several curtain calls. The seductive princess.... looked stunning and sang quite beautifully.....fine singing and moving acting.
	(Roger Bing, Croydon Advertiser 14.2.97)

This touring company show what can really be done with a small company where the music is of a very high order across the board.
	(Michael Staff, Eastbourne & District Advertiser 5.9.96)

DIE FLEDERMAUS
The near-capacity (1,000-seat) Marlowe Theatre audience loved this frothy and naughty tale of deceit and flirtation a splendid cast.
	(Donald Hollins, Kentish Gazette 3.7.97)

As sparkling as the best champagne.......the singing and acting throughout was top drawer stuff, greatly appreciated by a large audience. Pure artistry, indeed.
	(D N Jones, Caernafon Herald 25.5.97)

Opera Box..... carried the whole evening triumphantly. The singing from the entire cast was superlative.
	(Richard Edmonds, Birmingham Post)

THE FLYING DUTCHMAN
Bridgett Gill sang beautifully as Senta....... Her duet with Brendan Wheatley, in rich voice and imposing as the anti-hero, was the high point, with the singers static and far from each other, yet filling the stage with passionate expression.
	(Colin Davison, North Devon Journal 15.2.96)

MARY STUART
....... her story was brought splendidly alive in Opera Box's production. Bridgett Gill's Mary summons up a dignity and acceptance that is both beautiful and terrible to behold. This is first class singing and acting.
	(Mike Howard, Brighton Evening Argos)

THE MAGIC FLUTE
An altogether magical evening.
	(Jeannine Williamson, Brighton Evening Argos 15.8.95)

DON GIOVANNI
In all areas....... the cast performed faultlessly.
	(Woking News and Mail 17.6.93)

The singing was wonderful..... I don't think I've ever heard Don Giovanni better sung.
	(Margert Burgess, Surrey Advertiser 12.1.96)

TOSCA
To jaded regulars like me, it was a lesson to hear the score delivered so competently..... Terence Sharpe's Scarpia presents the villain straight, as a bloated baleful toad, with none of the dandyish manners that most Scarpias like to affect. His baritone rose potently to the key moments.
	(David Murray, Financial Times 9.10.93)

Stunning classic costumes that would not have looked out of place at the Royal Opera.
	(Alexander Waugh, Evening Standard 7.10.93)

I have rarely heard Vissi D'arte perfomed with so much confidence and skill. Bridgett Gill's voice appeared seamless, hitting every note faultlessly.
	(South Wales Evening Post)

Bridgett Gill excelled in the title role.
	(CHAD Mansfield 2.8.95)

Olympia's story admirably sung and performed. The orchestra, small in number, but totally up to the task of producing that necessary tingle factor! A team effort without the burden of star names, and all round good singing, makes Opera Box a company to look out for.
	(Geoff Constantine, Surrey Advertiser, Jan 1999)

LA TRAVIATA
Her (Violetta's) voice was superb & As a spectacle, Opera Box's production was lovely &. The costumes were a delight &. Musically, the standard was consistently high.
	(Jane Garrett, Surrey Advertiser, 8 Jan 1999)}