The Ballad of Baby Doe

Opera Theater of Pittsburgh’s production of The Ballad of Baby Doe, directed by Michael Ehrman and conducted by John Baril is one of [Pittsburgh’s] ten best classical music performances of 1998.
— Pittsburgh Post-Gazette December, 1998

The Ballad of Baby Doe

Conductor John Baril’s secure, energetic baton work had precision and rhythmic drive.
— Opera News August, 1997

The Pearl Fishers

The Toledo Symphony, lead by John Baril in his conducting debut with the Toledo Opera, played with mesmerizing sensitivity, creating a perfectly-balanced soundscape of aural beauty. Special mention should be made of harpist Nancy Lendrim’s solo work gracefully underpinning a number of arias.
— Wayne F. Anthony The Toledo Blade October, 2017

The Scarlet Letter

This chorus, which serves, as both the opera’s antagonist and its soul, is magnificent, and its preparation is the swan song for John Baril, Opera Colorado’s longtime chorus master. Baril, whose contribution has always been one of the steadiest, most reliable, and excellent aspects of company productions, has resigned the position to pursue other opportunities.
— Kelly Dean Hansen Boulder Daily Camera May, 2016

Three Decembers

John Baril and the festival orchestra are equally at home with Heggie’s melodies, patter, and atmospherics.
— ColoradoDrama.com July, 2010

Three Decembers

Conductor John Baril, who shows a solid feel for Heggie’s musical aesthetic, provided able leadership in the pit.
— Denver Post July, 2010

Tosca

Central City Opera music director John Baril provided able support in the pit and brought out the many beauties of this score.
— Kyle MacMillan Opera News September, 2016

Tosca

Reflecting the modern setting, CCO Music Director John Baril took a brisk approach to the score without detracting from Puccini’s long, lyrical lines.
— Sabine Kortals The Denver Post August, 2016

Tosca

Finally I will mention that the orchestra was great and the conductor John Baril excellent. His pacing and his ability to maintain coordination with the stage was almost uncanny.
— S. Blake Duncan blakesoperablog August, 2016

Tosca

Noticeably effective is musical conductor John Baril’s ability to sync the music with the singers. There is not a moment of discord in the entire opera.
— Claudia Carbone BlastingNewsTV July, 2016