REVIEWS

Alceste

Opera News, David Shengold, June 2014:

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After the break came Cynthia Edwards' moving, effective staging of the music (fifty-five minutes or so) Handel wrote in 1749-50 for a vanished, never-produced Smollett play, Alceste. Light tenor Randall Bills — Hercules in a military suit — sang with striking fluidity and ease over a wide range; his first aria tested his ability to maintain pitch all the way through a long line, but after that all was smooth sailing, with the (relative) "hit" tune "Enjoy the sweet Elysian grove" a clear highlight, although Bills needed greater verbal connectedness.

Barefoot in a long blue-black train (Maile Okamura did the fine costuming) Robert Balonek showed a fine, strong dark baritone with uncommon agility in Charon's one bravura aria; having heard him perform impressively before in New York's fringe venues, one wonders why Balonek's talent doesn't land him the more prominent gigs he merits.

Marguerite Krull's stage experience as both mezzo and soprano told as Calliope; though not in strongest voice, she showed her colleagues how to project words successfully on a Handelian line. Lindsey Jones (Alceste), Weaver Rhodes (Admetus) and the game chorus appealingly executed John Heginbotham's unpretentious, affecting choreography.

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New York Times, Corinna da Fonseca-Wollheim, March 21, 2014:

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The hourlong semi-staged performance of “Alceste,” which marked the culmination of this year’s Handelfest, was sensitively directed by Cynthia Edwards. She made the most of the radiant young members of the American Classical Orchestra Chorus, who moved about the stage with natural grace. Two dancers, Lindsey Jones and Weaver Rhodes, fleshed out the silent roles of Alceste and Admetus, the lovers separated by death and then reunited. Their elegant movements, choreographed by John Heginbotham, combined stylized gestures and a certain sweet diffidence that fit the music well.

L'isola disabitata

TheaterScene.net, Jean Ballard Terepka, March 3, 2016:

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The team that put together the opera’s spacious and sunny staging – Cynthia Edwards, stage director, Liene Dobraja, costume designer – significantly enhanced the overall artistic value of this production. The minimal stage setting of four palm trees and several boulders, and a few well-chosen props – a stuffed fawn, binoculars, bright yellow beach blankets and multicolor sun umbrellas – were all used to fine effect. The singers moved in and around the stage space with relative ease, making it plausible as an exotic island locale. The campy mid-twentieth century tropical preppy-wear costumes contributed an air of modern wit to the chamber opera, revealing the charms of the Baroque piece by removing it from period-piece claustrophobia. The production was fun – the singers and Crawford all looked as though they were having an awfully good time – and the artistic and intellectual integrity of the project was unassailable.

Macbeth

Anchorage Daily News, Mike Dunham:

With a shoestring budget, Anchorage Opera has managed to present a gripping “Macbeth” that doesn’t readily reveal its shortcuts. Verdi’s grand opera take on Shakespeare’s story received a compelling production to a sold out opening night house on Saturday, and there’s no shortage of parties deserving praise for pulling off a stirring success.

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This is a fabulously difficult piece to pull off in that everything must click to make it hold together as a gripping and persuasive piece of musical theater….Cynthia Edwards’ direction balanced natural mannerisms with a studied symmetry when dealing with the supernatural. Particularly nice touches included the rising of a screen to show the murdered body of Duncan to the horror of the vassals.

Richard Coeur-de-Lion

New York Times, Anthony Tommasini

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On Wednesday night, the

American Classical Orchestra, the period-instrument ensemble founded by the conductor Thomas Crawford, presented a semi-staged production of Grétry’s “Richard Coeur de Lion,” a breezy, elegant work from 1784 (later revised), at the New York Society for Ethical Culture. The opera, a sensation in its day, remains a rarity. With Mr. Crawford drawing stylish, lively playing from the orchestra; a gifted cast; and an inventive semi-staging by Cynthia Edwards, this performance put the piece across beautifully.... All in all, a timely revival for a little gem of an opera.

MusicalCriticism.com, Richard Traubner

The American Classical Orchestra presented Grétry’s Richard Coeur-de-Lion at the charming auditorium of the Society for Ethical Culture…. the Grétry opéra-comique was by far the most interesting work, done semi-staged with ingenious direction from Cynthia Edwards…. Ms. Edwards’ staging cleverly made the most of simplified costuming and various props, suggesting a battle scene here and a country dance there.

Eugene Onegin

Anchorage Daily News, Mike Dunham:

Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin” had never been performed in Alaska before Saturday night….. Anchorage Opera managed to make it both a musical and theatrical highlight of the arts season.

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Director Cynthia Edwards gets credit for compelling, credible humanity in the stage action.… The interactions of characters and groups flowed smoothly. The re-entry of the guests during the quarrel between Onegin and Lensky in the second act came off brilliantly and smoothly.

Zémire et Azor

New York Times, Anthony Tommasini:

When neglected works are revived, they are sometimes billed as forgotten masterpieces, regardless of merit. Others pique interest because of their relevance to an evolving genre and their influence on other composers. Such is the case with the opera “Zémire et Azor” by the 18th-century Liégeois composer André Grétry.

In this rendition, effectively directed by Cynthia Edwards, the arias were sung in French and dialogue spoken in English.... Alex Guerrero brought apt comic timing to the buffo role of Ali, whose music evokes commedia dell’arte style. Matthew Peña, wearing a mask and cape for most of the opera, was charismatic as the tormented Azor, initially vengeful and bitter but transformed by his love for Zémire.

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Tosca

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Opera News, Frank Lewin:

A strong Tosca opened OperaDelaware's fifty-first season....Cynthia Edwards' fluid direction served the drama well and provided several memorable touches, one of which was to have Scarpia in his death spasms fall off the couch exactly as Cavaradossi had done earlier when weakened by his torture....a satisfying rendition of an opera standard.