Reviews
EDITORS' PICK!
"Joseph Pleuss was a robust Adam"
"...strong ensemble work from baritones Andrew Sauvageau and Benjamin Taylor and mezzo-soprano Francesca Aguado."
"Annie Gill’s feisty Jezebel, an aging singer instead of the Phoenician princess who challenged Elijah, was an interesting twist on the theme of idol worship."
"Oberhauser conducted a valiant chamber group that accompanied ably."
--Charles T. Downey - The Washington Post
"Joseph Pleuss was a robust Adam"
"...strong ensemble work from baritones Andrew Sauvageau and Benjamin Taylor and mezzo-soprano Francesca Aguado."
"Annie Gill’s feisty Jezebel, an aging singer instead of the Phoenician princess who challenged Elijah, was an interesting twist on the theme of idol worship."
"Oberhauser conducted a valiant chamber group that accompanied ably."
--Charles T. Downey - The Washington Post
*****
"Under the direction of Nick Vargas, the cast of nine singers (three per opera) excels in presenting short stories of moral ambiguity"
"The strongest two elements of these 15-minute pieces, as currently presented, are the music and the cast tasked with presenting the music. Oberhauser has composed a series of songs, which move each piece’s plot forward yet are also musically interesting and, for the most part, diverse."
"...exceedingly talented young musicians (William Yanesh- piano; Kimberly Eloshway- flute; Elena Forbes- clarinet; John Philligin- violin; and Henry Valoris- viola)..."
"...delightfully string-intensive music comes to life in a very professional way."
"Each of his cast members demonstrates astounding technical vocal ability"
"Francesca Aguado, however, deserves special mention for her rich and textured vocals."
"...the material is presented in a professional way that exceeds most music-heavy Fringe shows I’ve seen in recent years. Oberhauser is a composer from whom I hope to hear more of in the near future. The cast, likewise, has promising futures."
-- Jennifer Perry, DC Metro Theater Arts
"The strongest two elements of these 15-minute pieces, as currently presented, are the music and the cast tasked with presenting the music. Oberhauser has composed a series of songs, which move each piece’s plot forward yet are also musically interesting and, for the most part, diverse."
"...exceedingly talented young musicians (William Yanesh- piano; Kimberly Eloshway- flute; Elena Forbes- clarinet; John Philligin- violin; and Henry Valoris- viola)..."
"...delightfully string-intensive music comes to life in a very professional way."
"Each of his cast members demonstrates astounding technical vocal ability"
"Francesca Aguado, however, deserves special mention for her rich and textured vocals."
"...the material is presented in a professional way that exceeds most music-heavy Fringe shows I’ve seen in recent years. Oberhauser is a composer from whom I hope to hear more of in the near future. The cast, likewise, has promising futures."
-- Jennifer Perry, DC Metro Theater Arts
*****
"As Lilith, Kalback's [sic.] voice is exquisitely beautiful, contrasting her sly demeanor. Pleuss' voice is firm and his dialect rings with clarity. As Eve, Claire sings in a refined tone which compliments her diminutive figure."
"In 'Break, Break, Break,' Sauvageau delivers a beautiful solo after Joshua has left him. Now alone on stage, he falls to the floor, clutching an empty whiskey glass tragically. Sauvageau sings this part in deep, rich tone that beautifully expresses the tragedy he is feeling. It is truly one of the finest moments in the cycle."
"Gill sings these last lines in a glorious tone, prompting theaudience to erupt in applause."
"Each of the chamber operas are 15 minutes in length, and not only well structured, but beautifully told through Oberhauser's music. Oberhauser's librettos are composed from poetry, including the works of Emily Dickinson, John Freeman and Alfred Lord Tennyson. His score enhances the beauty already existing in their poetry and achieves perfect harmony."
"The five member orchestra sits onstage flawlessly executing Oberhauser’s operas. Oberhauser himself conducts, and the audience is treated to watching him as well as the orchestra perform during the operas."
"... falling has truly never sounded more beautiful."
-- Stephanie McGill, DC Theatre Scene
"In 'Break, Break, Break,' Sauvageau delivers a beautiful solo after Joshua has left him. Now alone on stage, he falls to the floor, clutching an empty whiskey glass tragically. Sauvageau sings this part in deep, rich tone that beautifully expresses the tragedy he is feeling. It is truly one of the finest moments in the cycle."
"Gill sings these last lines in a glorious tone, prompting theaudience to erupt in applause."
"Each of the chamber operas are 15 minutes in length, and not only well structured, but beautifully told through Oberhauser's music. Oberhauser's librettos are composed from poetry, including the works of Emily Dickinson, John Freeman and Alfred Lord Tennyson. His score enhances the beauty already existing in their poetry and achieves perfect harmony."
"The five member orchestra sits onstage flawlessly executing Oberhauser’s operas. Oberhauser himself conducts, and the audience is treated to watching him as well as the orchestra perform during the operas."
"... falling has truly never sounded more beautiful."
-- Stephanie McGill, DC Theatre Scene
*****
"... talented young singers and musicians..."
"The acting of singers Courtney Kalbacker (Lilith), Joseph Pleuss (Adam), and Shelby Claire (Eve) served the story well."
"[Andrew Sauvageau, Benjamin Taylor, and Francesca Aguado]'s voices tonally complimented each other."
-- Karren LaLonde Alenier, Scene 4
"The acting of singers Courtney Kalbacker (Lilith), Joseph Pleuss (Adam), and Shelby Claire (Eve) served the story well."
"[Andrew Sauvageau, Benjamin Taylor, and Francesca Aguado]'s voices tonally complimented each other."
-- Karren LaLonde Alenier, Scene 4
This production is presented as a part of the 2012 Capital Fringe Festival, a program of the Washington, DC non-profit Capital Fringe.
Fort Fringe & the Baldacchino Gypsy Tent Bar
607 NEW YORK AVE. NW WDC 20001
tickets: capitalfringe.org 866.811.4111