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

Romeo et Juliette

…and of conductor John Baril, whose pacing offered both dramatic excitement and vocal space. The orchestra may have managed just a tentative-sounding overture, but the players gathered their forces, found some of the sharp-edged atacks and the color that had been missing at the beginning and provided a vivid soundscape for the rest of the evening.
— Joan Reinthaler Washington Post February, 2016

Romeo et Juliette

Against this luscious setting played the crystalline tones of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, led with a deft baton by Conductor John Baril. Smoothly transitioning from the exuberant staccatos of Act I to the languorous romantic melodies of Acts II and V, the orchestra perfectly prepared the singers for musical excellence. And that, certainly, was achieved.
— Michael Poandl DC Metro Theatre Arts February, 2016