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NEWS

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REVIEW | JULY 25, 2024

ORCHESTRE DE LA FRANCOPHONIE

BEETHOVEN CYCLE

“Rivard is a truly inspired conductor who is in command of his musicians. He takes beautiful care of articulation and architecture.” (translation)

LE DEVOIR

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REVIEW | JUNE 19, 2024

EDMONTON OPERA

DAS RHEINGOLD

“The mighty Edmonton Symphony musicians [exhibited] a confident display of collaborative energy appropriate to the adaptation’s dimensions.”

OPERA CANADA

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REVIEW | FEB 15, 2024

EDMONTON OPERA
DON GIOVANNI

“Edmonton Opera’s two-show hybrid Don Giovanni appeared to be a hit with its opening night audience.”

OPERA CANADA

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REVIEW | OCT 27, 2023

EDMONTON OPERA
CARMEN

“The Edmonton Symphony, led by Edmonton Opera’s first Music Director, Simon Rivard, gave nuanced support to the singers. The winds and brass were particularly excellent, and the flute work in the Entr’acte before Act 3 was exquisite.”

OPERA CANADA

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REVIEW | OCT 26, 2022

EDMONTON OPERA
TOSCA

“The Edmonton Symphony, was once again led by Toronto Symphony resident conductor Simon Rivard, (he conducted La bohème), and the group played the Puccini score as well as any seasoned pit orchestra whose job it was to perform opera all the time. The string playing, with the bells ringing in the background, in the introduction to act three, was exquisite, and the clarinet playing accompanying Cavaradossi’s beautiful “E lucevan le stelle” in act three, was pristine.”

OPERA CANADA

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REVIEW | OCT 24, 2022

EDMONTON OPERA
TOSCA

“​​The sumptuous production features a vibrant orchestra led by conductor Simon Rivard.”

BROADWAY WORLD

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REVIEW | OCT 24, 2022

EDMONTON OPERA
TOSCA

“Conductor Simon Rivard returns to the EO podium to again lead the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra in another Puccini masterpiece. On this night, Rivard led the ESO to an emotional yet grounded performance.”

SCHMOPERA

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REVIEW | FEB 7, 2022

EDMONTON OPERA
LA BOHÈME

“Conductor Simon Rivard led the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra to breathe life into Puccini’s beloved score. Rivard, the Resident Conductor of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, conducted with energy and passion, with sprightly tempi especially during the market scene of Act II.”

SCHMOPERA

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REVIEW | JUNE 29, 2021

AGAINST THE GRAIN
SAVITRI

“It is an atmospheric score writ large, and is beautifully captured by conductor Simon Rivard and his 12-member ensemble. In fact, Rivard ably renders the subtle tones which pervade most of the score, yet builds to the few dramatic climaxes in goodly fashion.”

LUDWIG VAN TORONTO

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REVIEW | APRIL 28, 2021

ORCHESTRE SYMPHONIQUE DE QUÉBEC
BEETHOVEN'S FIFTH

“From the start of Dvořák's Carnival Overture, we feel a conductor fully in possession of his powers. The music breathes and flows from the source. It's like smelling the fresh air of the Bohemian valleys. The passion of the opening gives way to a remarkable relaxation in the middle section. [...] Simon Rivard knows exactly what he's doing in Beethoven's Fifth Symphony. Simon Rivard is a conductor with ideas to spare, who has a natural authority and well-channelled energy. A name to watch!" (translation)

LE SOLEIL

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