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La bohème

“Music director Joseph Illick gets amazingly fine playing from members of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, taut and flashy when it needs to be, exquisitely delicate elsewhere.”

Dallas Morning News, Scott Cantrell

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Don Pasquale

“In the pit, the Fort Worth Symphony was smooth and concise. Conductor Joseph Illick paced the musicians well, contributing to a wonderful momentum, all the while bringing out the lyric romanticism in a score in which that aspect is frequently underplayed.”

Fort Worth Star Telegram, Wayne Lee Gay

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Cendrillon

“Artistic Director/Conductor Joseph Illick expertly led the LGOF Orchestra through Massenet’s score.”

Opera News, William West

 

“This is a triumphant moment for the company.”

Albany Times Union, Peter Haley

 

“Lake George Opera Festival superb as ‘Cinderella’ turns 100…played here by conductor Joseph Illick and his musicians with plenty of attention to the complexities and subtleties in the score.”

Schenectady Gazette, Blake Samson

 

“Illick has seemingly performed a miracle in bringing the company to its present level.”

Glens Falls Chronicle, Tom Calarco

 

“Opera restores belief in magic…Everything about this show works – from Illick’s strong musical leadership to the excellent cast…”

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Robert Croan

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Rigoletto

“The 38-piece orchestra under Joseph Illick was admirably supportive, playing with resolute vigor throughout.”

Glens Falls Post-Star, Geraldine Freedman

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The Marriage of Figaro

“Lake George Opera opens triumphantly … Start with the orchestra, and you get a vibrant reading with flawless execution and precision dynamics, which allowed the music to sing along with the vocalists. All the credit goes to Illick, who also performed ably on the harpsichord.”

Glens Falls Chronicle, Tom Calarco

 

“Orchestra, cast, shine in Figaro … Joseph Illick at the harpsichord and as conductor made a brilliant orchestra into a superb accompanist.”

Glens Falls Post-Star, Geraldine Freedman

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The Bartered Bride

“Performance shows magic of rare opera … The orchestra conducted by Joseph Illick was brilliant and precise.”

Glens Falls Post-Star, Geraldine Freedman

 

“Joseph Illick set the tone with a brilliant overture.”

Opera News, William West

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La Traviata

“Joseph Illick again did his best conducting job here to date. He gave the music room to breathe and led the singers with dramatic sensitivity.”

The Miami Herald, James Roos

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Otello

“The star of the evening is artistic director Joseph Illick, who led the work with passionate commitment. Illick had the score in the palm of his hand.”

The Troy Record, Doug de Lisle

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A Midsummer Night’s Dream

“Once again, the Festival Orchestra plays with commitment under the baton of Artistic Director Joseph Illick.”

The Troy Record, Doug de Lisle

 

“There were some lovely touches from Illick’s orchestra, especially the glissando fairy music.”

Opera News, William West

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The Magic Flute

“Joseph Illick kept a marvelous, tasteful balance between the stage and the orchestra.”

The Youngstown Vindicator

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The Jewel Box

The conductor, Joe Illick, kept things crisp, clean and neatly balanced.”

Opera

 

“The hard working pit ensemble under Joe Illick’s musical direction acquits itself with skill and dedication.”

The Chicago Tribune

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The Fedelta Premiata

“Conductor Joseph Illick skillfully held the orchestra together and infused the score with admirable verve and nuance.”

Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel, Tim Smith

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La Donna del Lago

“Conductor Joseph Illick brought out the full measure of Rossini’s sparkling energy and drama.”

Opera News, William West

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Così fan tutte

“Joseph Illick molded the music skillfully from the pit.”

— Opera News

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La bohème

“Like a proverbial phoenix rising from the ashes, the Lake George Opera Festival pulled off a second opening night on Saturday with an intimate production of La boheme… Illick is an exciting new musical force in the area.”

Albany Times Union, Peter Haley

 

“La boheme grabbed one’s attention at the opening curtain and held fast until the final note. Artistic Director Joseph Illick led the festival orchestra in and accurate and responsive performance.”

Schenectady Daily Gazette

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The Merry Widow

“The music seemed to float out of the orchestra pit.”

The Shreveport Times, Lane Crockett

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Carmen

“Fire there certainly was … the Shreveport Symphony has never played better.”

The Shreveport Times, Lane Crockett

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Tosca

“From the passionate playing of the orchestra under Joseph Illick’s direction … those who attended saw one of the finest – if not the finest – presentations offered by the company. Shreveport Opera started the season on a high note with Porgy and Bess, and now the company has bettered that.”

The Shreveport Times, Lane Crockett

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La Bohème

“The Shreveport Symphony, under the direction of Artistic Director Joseph Illick, played with passion and lyricism.”

The Shreveport Times, Lane Crockett

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Turandot

“The competent and enthusiastic musicians were led with both zest and musical imagination by the gifted young Joseph Illick.”

The Boston Phoenix, Loyde Schwartz

 

“The high-energy young American conductor Joseph Illick was always there for his singers; both he and the players were attentive to the wonderful details of color and atmosphere in the scoring.”

The Boston Globe, Richard Dyer

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Aida

“The grandiose music, conducted with passion by Joseph Illick, was more than enough to make this Aida memorable.”

The Desert Sun, Palm Desert, CA, Bruce Fessner

 

“Conductor Joseph Illick led a well-prepared and lushly appointed orchestra in a flawless performance.”

North County Times, Escondido, CA, Pam Kragan

 

“Verdi’s masterpiece is treated with respect, beginning with conductor Joseph Illick in the pit.”

Los Angeles Times, Daniel Cariaga

 

“The orchestra was inspired by Maestro Illick, a really exceptional, fine conductor.”

— Copenhagen, Denmark

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Nabucco

“The orchestra played wonderfully under the baton of the astonishingly fine conductor Joseph Illick. The public gave an explosive standing ovation as if they were shot up from their chairs.”

— Copenhagen, Denmark (Tivoli)

 

“The young conductor Joseph Illick conducted very sensitively and with more musical-dramatic expression than we are used to in Denmark.”

— Aalborg, Denmark, John Christiansen