Romeo et Juliette
Conductor John Baril and a superb pit ensemble embraced every one of Gounod’s lovely melodies and sumptuous orchestrations, never overwhelming the singers, while remaining in sync with them throughout, particularly in the touching final, stripped-down scene.
— Marc Shulgold, Opera News, July, 2023
Romeo et Juliette
Under the baton of Maestro John Baril, the scrumptious Central City Opera orchestra delivers Gounod’s melodious score to perfection. Baril’s music direction keeps the musicians in the pit and the singers on stage always in sync.
— Marlowe’s Musings, July, 2023
Romeo et Juliette
Music director John Baril’s orchestra is in its usual impeccable form for the duration of the lengthy 1867 score.
— Kelly Dean Hansen, Denver Hub Denver Post, August 2023
Romeo et Juliette
On the musical side, John Baril cast a spell by inspiring the company’s orchestra to produce a beautiful, cohesive sound highlighted by luscious string sonorities (Romeo et Juliette).
— David Skolnik, the Gazette, July, 2023
Romeo et Juliette
John Baril, Music Director, leads the 53-piece Festival Orchestra through a lovely rendition of Gounod’s well-tempered score (Romeo et Juliette).
— Bob Bows, Colorado Drama, July, 2023
Otello
Under John Baril, the orchestra gives a sprightly and stylish performance of Rossini’s score. Special credit goes to the sparkling woodwinds and horn players for their solo turns.
— Sharps and Flatirons, July, 2023
Otello
Maestro John Baril and the Festival Orchestra give full breath to Rossini’s epic score.
— Bob Bows, Colorado Theatre Reviews, July, 2023
Otello
The composer, who wrote his vocal parts in the florid bel canto style that dominated Italian opera in the early 19th Century, requires three first-rate tenors in major roles, a challenge for any company that is met triumphantly in CCO music director John Baril’s casting. Rossini’s demands on the orchestra are every bit as stringent as on his singers. The score is long and often thankless for the musicians, but Baril, who conducts, brings out their best, including prominent solos for principal horn Carolyn Kunicki and harpist Janet Harriman. This ambitious Otello is both a strong argument for the composer and an exemplar for the presentation of his works.
— Kelly Dean Hansen, Denver Hub Denver Post, August, 2023
Amahl and the Night Visitors
Accompanying these strong soloist performances, Baril’s orchestra, sprawled across the front section of the church pews, sounded wonderful. As the conductor, Baril took full advantage of Menotti’s adept score writing, exploring the different colors and personalities within the music for each character and perfectly timing the comedic musical interchanges with the singers’ lyrics and blocking. […]
Susannah
…the orchestra performs valiantly under the baton of John Baril.
— Pittsburgh Post-Gazette March, 1998