Opera Southwest

Excellent acting, singing, technical aspects. This was my first opera at the Kimo, and I will return.

Amazing production and performances! Awesome seats and a fabulous evening!

Thank you, so much, for not updating the production!!! The music was great, the performers were excellent, but most of all, the opera was so much fun, and all the sweeter for being a traditional presentation. Being traditional gave it that simplicity, and innocence that intensified the color and emotional warmth of the story....I just loved that!

Opera Southwest gave a funny and thoughtful rendition of Rossini's "Italian Girl in Algiers". They remained true to the original comedy by providing an uncontrolled madness, with some original touches of their own. The part of Lindoro played by Scott Ramsay rang true with his amazing tenor, but Matthew Burns in the part of Teddeo was the star of the show with his off center mannerisms and cowardly characteristics. In all a great production and out standing performance even more so because of its geographic location. Bravo! Brava!

Opera Southwest works extremely hard and puts on superior performances all the time! What a great way to introduce my family to opera!

Very enthusiastic cast and great singing by all. The orchestra was great even though it was fairly small. The harpischord player was a nice touch.

this was the best theater we've been to this year. the actors had fun, the goers had fun. highly recommend!

Opera Southwest gave us a marvelous evening full of the mad silliness of Rossini. The orchestra conducted by Anthony Barrese was just right, not obtrusive, an excellent support for the singers. The amateur chorus was a little thin, not always on the ball either in blocking or in ensemble, but adequate. The singers were fabulous. Particularly impressive were Eve Gigliotti whose coloratura was impeccable and whose stage presence was dominant without being annoying. Likewise Ashraf Sewailam whom I hated and snickered at in the way Rossini presumably intended that I should. Amazing voice and, for my money, the go-to guy for this role in future productions. Honorable mention to Matthew Burns whose golden voice and marvelous clowning made me admire him and hope for a repeat performance some time. Heather Phillips evoked my sympathy as the spurned wife and wowed me with her range and technique. A+ to the cast and B to the amateur chorus. All in all a great job, OSW!

The Opera Southwest The Italian Girl in Algiers was a very pleasing combination of acting coupled with a wonder orchestra. It helped to scan the plot, available in the handout program, prior to the show which is in Italian but captions were provided. Mustafa was a crowd pleasing character as were the other supporting cast. You'll love the show if it comes your way again. The Albuquerque Kimo theatre is of course a wonderful place to see such a live performance.

WOW. I have been asking my husband to take me to an opera since we met, and it finally happened. We went last Saturday and it was scary at first, thinking about sitting through 3 hours of an Italian opera, which we knew we would not understand etc. But turns out we read the story highlights prior to arriving, plus the tele-prompt helped keep us going and it was absolutely amazing! Both my husband and I agreed that we will deffinately be returning to the opera on a regular basis, we loved it. And a bonus to find something new that we both can share an appreciation for. We look forward to developing out tastes, thank you for a wonderful expierence!

I last attended Opera Southwest nearly 30 years ago for a performance of Tosca. Since then, for one reason another hadn't attended since--and had even forgotten that OSW wase still performing. Fortunately I heard about this performance, and am very pleased that I got to go. The ensemble was very well polished, and the acting and singing first rate--not at all what I was expecting for a local company. For the quality, theater size, and price, the performance was more enjoyable than trekking up to the Santa Fe Opera or to a major company like San Francisco or Lyric of Chicago. I'll be back.

A playful rendition of Rossini's L'Italiana in Algeri. The diction was wonderful and crisp. The movement around the stage was energetic and hilarious!

This performance was excellent! It was truly entertaining. I would see it again. There were some technical difficulties with the super titles, but other than that, just wonderful.