NEWS
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
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
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
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