REVIEWS
"an ‘Aida’ that’s as good as it gets. This ‘Aida’ was a tremendous success. The Albany Symphony played beautifully under Striny.”
James Hennerty, Albany Times Union
7/19/2004
"’Aida’ meets its challenges...six extraordinary singers, a large chorus similarly outfitted with vocal dynamos and a virtuosic orchestra capable of conquering those carefully defined layers of ravishing melodies and intricate counterpoint… The marvelous Act II finale ensemble, went remarkably well under the podium leadership of Striny, who is the festival’s founder and artistic director”.
Richard Houdek, Berkshire Eagle
July 19, 2004
(Tales of Hoffmann) “A splendid presentation. Right from the opening f minor chord on through to the closing c major, we are on a roller coaster; driven, guided and controlled by the expert conducting of the company’s founder Denes Striny. It is a thrilling performance. As they say in the opera world, Bravo!”
Charles Kondek, Independent
July 30 ,2004
Die Walkure
Bill Rice, The Sunday Gazette, proclaimed:
"It was a bit like having the Three Tenors plus two show up to sing in your living room.
...an evening of stunning and heroic singing. A collection of this many voices of such caliber doesn't come down the pike very often, even at major operas houses...
"...a magnificent Ride of the Valkries"... "the Albany Symphony musicians did themselves proud under Striny's very capable direction."
Ron Emery, Albany Times Union, wrote: “Denes Striny, American conductor as well as artistic director of the Shaker Mountain Opera, in a gesture worthy of the great Wagner himself, opened the festival with a stunning concert performance of “Die Walkure” with fine singers and the Albany Symphony Orchestra” It was a gala night to write home about.”
An Evening of Giuseppe Verdi with Lauren Flanigan:
Richard Houdek, The Berkshire Eagle: "(Lauren Flanigan)...an astonishing actress, along with Striny and the Albany Symphony gave us a block-busting rendition of Abigaille's aria]..."
Gotterdammerung
Peter Bergman, The Independent: "...a nearly heart-stopping exhibition of sensual singing...”
Berkshire Eagle – Richard Houdek (Gotterdammerung)“Striny clearly feels the music: He is one of those hopping, swiveling podium figures who scoops up phrases and implores big chunks of sound.”
Berkshire Eagle – Andrew Pincus "Shaker Mountain Opera rushes
in where others fear to tread"
Jody Dalton of The Albany Times Union declares: "A new and remarkable festival of opera...characterized by a remarkable professionalism in vocal talent and general music execution"
Berkshire News – Marion Wilshire “With Denes Striny and the Albany Symphony Orchestra to accompany the singers, the composer’s most popular opera (Manon) is in loving hands”.