Reviews
THOMAS RÖSNER, conductor
Welsh National Opera (02-03/2011)
Die Fledermaus, Johann Strauss
”But nothing says Vienna more vibrantly than the Waltz King’s music, and the authentic Viennese lilt that the conductor Thomas Rösner brought to the score was the most engaging and satisfying aspect of the evening overall. The overture found the orchestra of WNO on sparkling form and, since it’s the one number where neither singers nor dancers need be taken into account, Rösner could indulge in some extravagant and witty rubato, something clearly achievable only when maintaining the tightest control. So thank goodness for Rösner and his natural authority with Strauss’s music and with his singers.” Rian Evans, Opera Magazine, March 2011
”The firey conducting of Thomas Rösner… He is an exciting, truthful conductor, and created a stunningly crafted array of Viennese colour throughout the piece. The WNO Orchestra respond with finesse. The Final to Act 2 exuded lusciousness and rich, searching phrasing - ”Brüderlein” was awash in waves of lavish brushstrokes of dynamic and tempo control.” Bethan Dudley Fryar, Opera Britannia March 2011
”A Viennese maestro, Thomas Rösner, conducts the orchestra as light- heartedly and dextrously as Copley handles the singers. In both cases, that achievement is deceptively difficult.” Neil Fisher, The Times
”Musically, there is plenty to enjoy, thanks to the ”echt” Viennese vim and sentiment that Thomas Rösner draws from a WNO orchestra on scintillating form… It is certainly a long time since I enjoyed this immortal score as much in a British theater.” Hugh Canning, Sunday Time 20.02.2011
”That authenticity starts in the pit, with the Vienese conductor Thomas Rösner. He sets out the overture with liveliness and lilt and is alert to the way in which dance underpins every bar of this infectious score.” Sunday Telegraph 20.02.2011
”…Beautiful idiomatic playing-full of sparkle, lovely violin slurs and prickly woodwind comments- by the orchestra under the conductor Thomas Rösner…” Robert Thickness, The Tablet 19.02.2011
”From the sparkling overture to the final royal tribute to champagne, this new WNO production simply fizzes with fun and tuneful gaiety. Thomas Rösner conducts the on-form orchestra with the lightest of touches, bringing out the full piquant Viennese charm of this bitter-sweet romp.” John Holliday, The Stage 16.02.2011
”The evening’s main feature is the conducting of Thomas Rösner, a Viennese in a piece that can die without style. In his hands the music lilts and sparkles, and the orchestra dances birilliantly to his tune.” Stephen Walsh, The Art Desk 14.02.2011
”The strongest perfomance is from conductor Thomas Rösner, his authentic, idiomatic Viennese style countering the dialogue’s slow-mo effetc.” Rian Evans, The Gardian 14.02.2011
”With the WNO orchestra conducted with gusto by Thomas Rösner, this is an uplifting night out that’s as bubbly as a glass of champagne.” Echo 14.02.2011
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Opéra National de Lorraine (12/2010)
Die Lustige Witwe, Franz Lehar
”On reste admiratif de la versatilité dont fait preuve l’Orchestre symphonique et lyrique de Nancy, qui semble connaître depuis toujours les secrets du rubato alangui des valses et du clinquant des polkas autrichiennes. A sa tête, le jeune chef viennois Thomas Rösner se dépense sans compter, marquant soigneusement la rythmique, donnant des départs précis au plateau et obtenant une parfaite cohésion, même dans les tempos les plus vivacissimo. Avec le concours d’un choeur très présent sur scène et parfaitement en place, le brillant et le dynamisme de la musique de Franz Lehar sont vraiment bien servis.” Michel Thomé, Remusica 27.12.2010
”La direction musicale du jeune chef Thomas Rösner est incontestable, de très bonne tenue de bout en bout. D’origine viennoise, celui-ci fait sonner toute la magnificence de la musique à la fois populaire et savante de Franz Lehar.” Noël Tinazzi, Rue du Théâtre 27.12.2010
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Stadttheater St. Gallen (10-11/2010)
La Sonnambula, Vincezo Bellini
”Am Pult des St. Galler Sinfonieorchester stand der Wiener Thomas Rösner, der als Chefdirigent des Bieler Sinfonieorchesters zu einer festen Schweizer Grösse geworden ist. Sein Bellini blieb stets schlank und durchsichtig. Vorbildlich, wie er den Gesang im Zentrum stehen liess und die dynamischen Abläufe im Zaum hielt.” Reinmar Wagner, Musik und Theater 12.2010
”Die Neuproduktion von Vincezo Bellinis La Sonnambula am Stadttheater St. Gallen wurde vor allem deshalb ein in den Bann ziehendes Ereignis, weil mit der kanadischen Sopranistin Jane Archibald und dem Amerikaner Lawrence Brownlee zwie Künstler zur Verfügung standen, die Potenzial haben, zu den zukünftigen Opernstars mit Weltkarriere gehören zu können. Musikalisch lässt der Abend kaum Wünsche offen. Das Sinfonieorchester St. Gallen liess sich von Thomas Rösner zu präzisem und präsentem Musizieren bringen. Klangschön und sehr differenziert führte er das Orchester durch den Abend.” Marcel Paolino, Der Neue Merker 12.2010
”Beim Wiener Thomas Rösner lag die musikalische Leitung des St. Galler Sinfonieorchesters in besten Händen.” Oliver Schneider, drehpunktkultur 24.11.2010
”Dirigent Thomas Rösner und das Sinfonieorchester St.Gallen geben den Solisten viel Raum. Rösner kostet die kammermusikalische Partitur aus, verzichtet auf alles Grelle und schafft jenen nächtlichen Hallraum, in dem man übergenau nach innen wie nach aussen hört. Und in dem Aminas verinnerlichter Gesang trägt.” Peter Surder, Tagblatt St. Gallen 25.10.2010
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Feldkirch Festival Sinfonie Orchester Biel(10.6.2010)
“As part of the Feldkirch Festival, the Symphony Orchestra Biel made a guest appearance conducted by Thomas Rösner at the Montforthaus in Feldkirch. The program probably surprised many visitors, since it featured a work by Galina Ustvolskaya which was largely unknow until then. Anika Vavic, Thomas Rösner and the Symphony Orchestra Biel interpreted the work energetically. However, they never ignored the moments of release and the lyrical passages, so that the music filling the space was easy to grasp and immediatly effective. The audience gave the work an enthusiastic reception and applauded frenetically. Thomas Rösner’s immediate and well thought-out diction contributed much to the work’s sucessful interpretation.” Silvia Thurner, Zeitschrift für Kultur und Gesellschaft 13.06.2010
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Opéra Nantes Angers (3/2010)
Lucio Silla, Wolgang Amadeus Mozart
” Thomas Rösner’s spirited direction energizes all the ups and downs, highs and lows of this score that is rich in arias that are often ambitious in lenght. A must-see production. ” Alexandre Pham, Classique News 18.3.2010
” In the perfectly Mozartian venue of the Théâtre Graslin, the Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire is constantly enlivened by Thomas Rösner’s direction. He meets the work’s challenges with elegance, supporting the singers with a sure technique. ” Jean-Charles Hoffelé, Concert Classic 07.3.2010
‘‘Thomas Rösner carries us along from the start of the ouverture in lively, vibrant fashion. In this youthful essay, he knows how to let us hear everything that is already a testament to the genius of the later Mozart. Attentive to the singers, he is just as capable of bringing out the best in an orchestra whose quality is already undeniable.” Vincent Deloge, Resmusica 17.3.2010
” The musical direction is in the hands of a fisrt - class Mozartian - the Austrian Thomas Rösner. A must-see new production, and for us the operatic event of March 2010. ” Lucas Irom, Classique News 10.2.2010
Press Quotes
KMI
