Press
“Finally, a fitting tribute to conductor John Baril is in order. The CCO Music Director marks his 30 years with the company. In those years, he has always led a highly professional and polished pit orchestra, shown extreme sensitivity to his singers, and served as the musical glue that binds every production he leads. It is to Baril’s credit that the overture made the impact it did even with the pantomime. He engaged with the audience while leading the Radetzky March, in the set change between Act II and the shorter Act III. As usual, his awesome orchestral players, guided by his assured hand, supported the singers, particularly in the often-difficult transitions between dialogue and singing. Baril is a treasure, the heart of CCO, and his three decades are justly highlighted by the company in this season’s return to its venue and its roots, showcased in this joyous production of Die Fledermaus.”
– Kelly Dean Hansen, Ph.D., Weekly Call Register, July 2022
Il barbiere di Siviglia
Conductor John Baril wielded effective control, and the orchestra performed incisively.
— Peter Alexander Boulder Weekly July, 2013
— Peter Alexander Boulder Weekly July, 2013
Il barbiere di Siviglia
Conductor John Baril kept the musical side of things percolating along. Maestro Baril accommodated and partnered with his singers with skill, and he made some bold choices of tempo for a few of the most well-known moments. The orchestra acquitted themselves cleanly…it was a wholly creditable afternoon of bubbly music-making.
— James Sohre Opera Today July, 2013
— James Sohre Opera Today July, 2013
Il barbiere di Siviglia
John Baril conducts the Central City Opera orchestra with a baton that keeps the musicians in the pit and the singers onstage in perfect sync.
— David Marlowe Marlowe’s Musings July, 2013
— David Marlowe Marlowe’s Musings July, 2013
Il barbiere di Siviglia
The orchestra played tightly under the baton of conductor John Baril.
— Chloe Veltman ArtsJournalBlog July, 2013
— Chloe Veltman ArtsJournalBlog July, 2013
Il barbiere di Siviglia
Music Director John Baril is an artist of intelligence and sensitivity. His talent for balancing authenticity with practicality is impeccable. From the podium, Baril kept everything moving at a brisk pace, such that the long first act seemed to fly by.
— Kelly Dean Hansen Boulder Daily Camera July, 2013
— Kelly Dean Hansen Boulder Daily Camera July, 2013
Il barbiere di Siviglia
At Saturday night’s performance, conductor John Baril mastered well the difficult art of joining instruments and vocals. There was balance and an endearing partnership between the stage and the pit.
— Ray Mark Rinaldi Denver Post June, 2013
— Ray Mark Rinaldi Denver Post June, 2013
Il trovatore
Music Director John Baril has seen his share of milestones in the pit at Central City Opera, but this summer’s Il trovatore represents a new height for him and the company. Giuseppe Verdi’s popular but often critically maligned score was given its best possible advocacy by Baril and stage director Joachim Schamberger in the jewel box theater. The choruses of gypsies and soldiers are splendid, as is Baril’s orchestra. Verdi’s accompaniments range from the banal to the sublime, and these musicians had a keen understanding of when to come forward and when to let the singers take the lead. While Leonora is not the central character, the role is incredibly demanding, so much so that her last major solo in Act IV is often cut. Loutsion did sing one verse of it. This was just one example of Baril’s respect for Verdi’s score, which was evident throughout.
— Kelly Dean Hansen Boulder Daily Camera July, 2018
— Kelly Dean Hansen Boulder Daily Camera July, 2018
Il trovatore
If all operatic performances of merit begin with the conductor&mdsah;even “Trovatore,” the ultimate singers’ opera—then John Baril was the right choice to lead this excellent production. …Baril provided the eloquence and shrewd pacing from which the entire production took its vivid, dark persona.
— Reno Evening Gazette October, 1998
— Reno Evening Gazette October, 1998
La bohème
John Baril conducted sensitively.
— Marc Shulgold Opera Now December, 2012
— Marc Shulgold Opera Now December, 2012
La bohème
Conductor John Baril led a firm, convincing performance…
— Peter Alexander Boulder Weekly July, 2012
— Peter Alexander Boulder Weekly July, 2012
La bohème
Everyone was beautifully supported by the John Baril-led pit orchestra….the principal voices and orchestral sounds from this timeless tale of love and loss were glorious.
— David Sckolnik ColoradoSprings.com July, 2012
— David Sckolnik ColoradoSprings.com July, 2012
La bohème
Conductor John Baril does a fine job with the orchestra, creating a seamless blend of sound at a moderately brisk pace…
— rgz Opera Lively July, 2012
— rgz Opera Lively July, 2012
La bohème
(Under Baril) the Central City Opera Orchestra has never sounded more full or luscious.
— David Marlowe Marlowe’s Musings July, 2012
— David Marlowe Marlowe’s Musings July, 2012
La bohème
Maestro John Baril leads the Festival Orchestra in a primo rendition.
— Bob Bows ColoradoDrama.com July, 2012
— Bob Bows ColoradoDrama.com July, 2012
La bohème
Music Director John Baril had a keen sense of flow throughout, really shaping each act into a complete musical entity. The orchestra provided a sonic reflection of the atmosphere on stage, as in those coldly plucked strings and “shivering” tremolos at the beginning of Act III.
— Kelly Dean Hansen The Boulder Daily Camera July, 2012
— Kelly Dean Hansen The Boulder Daily Camera July, 2012
La traviata
In the pit, John Baril led an outstanding orchestra, maintaining a steady beat….
— Marc Shulgold Opera November, 2015
— Marc Shulgold Opera November, 2015
La traviata
[Music Director and] conductor John Baril provided fine support in the pit.
— Kyle MacMillan Opera News October, 2015
— Kyle MacMillan Opera News October, 2015
La traviata
The orchestra played beautifully under Baril’s direction: supportive, precise, never overshadowing the singers.
— Peter Alexander Boulder Weekly July, 2015
— Peter Alexander Boulder Weekly July, 2015
La traviata
Maestro John Baril and the festival orchestra deliver an exquisite rendition of Verdi’s fabulous melodies.
— Bob Bowes ColoradoDrama.com July, 2015
— Bob Bowes ColoradoDrama.com July, 2015
La traviata
Conductor and CCO Music Director John Baril has mastered the way the orchestra and singers can mix in the cozy place.
— Ray Mark Rinaldi Denver Post July, 2015
— Ray Mark Rinaldi Denver Post July, 2015
Il barbiere di Siviglia
Conductor John Baril wielded effective control, and the orchestra performed incisively.
— Peter Alexander Boulder Weekly July, 2013
— Peter Alexander Boulder Weekly July, 2013
Il barbiere di Siviglia
Conductor John Baril kept the musical side of things percolating along. Maestro Baril accommodated and partnered with his singers with skill, and he made some bold choices of tempo for a few of the most well-known moments. The orchestra acquitted themselves cleanly…it was a wholly creditable afternoon of bubbly music-making.
— James Sohre Opera Today July, 2013
— James Sohre Opera Today July, 2013
Il barbiere di Siviglia
John Baril conducts the Central City Opera orchestra with a baton that keeps the musicians in the pit and the singers onstage in perfect sync.
— David Marlowe Marlowe’s Musings July, 2013
— David Marlowe Marlowe’s Musings July, 2013
Il barbiere di Siviglia
The orchestra played tightly under the baton of conductor John Baril.
— Chloe Veltman ArtsJournalBlog July, 2013
— Chloe Veltman ArtsJournalBlog July, 2013
Il barbiere di Siviglia
Music Director John Baril is an artist of intelligence and sensitivity. His talent for balancing authenticity with practicality is impeccable. From the podium, Baril kept everything moving at a brisk pace, such that the long first act seemed to fly by.
— Kelly Dean Hansen Boulder Daily Camera July, 2013
— Kelly Dean Hansen Boulder Daily Camera July, 2013
Il barbiere di Siviglia
At Saturday night’s performance, conductor John Baril mastered well the difficult art of joining instruments and vocals. There was balance and an endearing partnership between the stage and the pit.
— Ray Mark Rinaldi Denver Post June, 2013
— Ray Mark Rinaldi Denver Post June, 2013
Il trovatore
Music Director John Baril has seen his share of milestones in the pit at Central City Opera, but this summer’s Il trovatore represents a new height for him and the company. Giuseppe Verdi’s popular but often critically maligned score was given its best possible advocacy by Baril and stage director Joachim Schamberger in the jewel box theater. The choruses of gypsies and soldiers are splendid, as is Baril’s orchestra. Verdi’s accompaniments range from the banal to the sublime, and these musicians had a keen understanding of when to come forward and when to let the singers take the lead. While Leonora is not the central character, the role is incredibly demanding, so much so that her last major solo in Act IV is often cut. Loutsion did sing one verse of it. This was just one example of Baril’s respect for Verdi’s score, which was evident throughout.
— Kelly Dean Hansen Boulder Daily Camera July, 2018
— Kelly Dean Hansen Boulder Daily Camera July, 2018
Il trovatore
If all operatic performances of merit begin with the conductor&mdsah;even “Trovatore,” the ultimate singers’ opera—then John Baril was the right choice to lead this excellent production. …Baril provided the eloquence and shrewd pacing from which the entire production took its vivid, dark persona.
— Reno Evening Gazette October, 1998
— Reno Evening Gazette October, 1998
La bohème
John Baril conducted sensitively.
— Marc Shulgold Opera Now December, 2012
— Marc Shulgold Opera Now December, 2012
La bohème
Conductor John Baril led a firm, convincing performance…
— Peter Alexander Boulder Weekly July, 2012
— Peter Alexander Boulder Weekly July, 2012
La bohème
Everyone was beautifully supported by the John Baril-led pit orchestra….the principal voices and orchestral sounds from this timeless tale of love and loss were glorious.
— David Sckolnik ColoradoSprings.com July, 2012
— David Sckolnik ColoradoSprings.com July, 2012
La bohème
Conductor John Baril does a fine job with the orchestra, creating a seamless blend of sound at a moderately brisk pace…
— rgz Opera Lively July, 2012
— rgz Opera Lively July, 2012
La bohème
(Under Baril) the Central City Opera Orchestra has never sounded more full or luscious.
— David Marlowe Marlowe’s Musings July, 2012
— David Marlowe Marlowe’s Musings July, 2012
La bohème
Maestro John Baril leads the Festival Orchestra in a primo rendition.
— Bob Bows ColoradoDrama.com July, 2012
— Bob Bows ColoradoDrama.com July, 2012
La bohème
Music Director John Baril had a keen sense of flow throughout, really shaping each act into a complete musical entity. The orchestra provided a sonic reflection of the atmosphere on stage, as in those coldly plucked strings and “shivering” tremolos at the beginning of Act III.
— Kelly Dean Hansen The Boulder Daily Camera July, 2012
— Kelly Dean Hansen The Boulder Daily Camera July, 2012
La traviata
In the pit, John Baril led an outstanding orchestra, maintaining a steady beat….
— Marc Shulgold Opera November, 2015
— Marc Shulgold Opera November, 2015
La traviata
[Music Director and] conductor John Baril provided fine support in the pit.
— Kyle MacMillan Opera News October, 2015
— Kyle MacMillan Opera News October, 2015
La traviata
The orchestra played beautifully under Baril’s direction: supportive, precise, never overshadowing the singers.
— Peter Alexander Boulder Weekly July, 2015
— Peter Alexander Boulder Weekly July, 2015
La traviata
Maestro John Baril and the festival orchestra deliver an exquisite rendition of Verdi’s fabulous melodies.
— Bob Bowes ColoradoDrama.com July, 2015
— Bob Bowes ColoradoDrama.com July, 2015
La traviata
Conductor and CCO Music Director John Baril has mastered the way the orchestra and singers can mix in the cozy place.
— Ray Mark Rinaldi Denver Post July, 2015
— Ray Mark Rinaldi Denver Post July, 2015