“Julia Jones’s attention to the emotional detail of Verdi’s score achieved a searing intensity.” - The Guardian
This month Julia Jones conducts a new production by Gabriele Rech of Verdi’s Otello at the Opéra National de Bordeaux. The cast includes Carlo Ventre in the title role, Laurent Naouri as Iago and Leah Crocetto as Desdemona, with performances on 21 ,24, 27 and 30 November and 2 December. More information can be found by clicking here.
Selected reviews:
“Julia Jones takes the orchestra to the top… the British conductor never lets the dramatic tension sag… The main strengths of this company - the orchestra together with the well-blended choir - distinguish themselves as an ensemble of a high-level under her baton.” - Mehti Mahdavi, Diapason.
“The Orchestre National de Bordeaux demonstrates remarkable cohesion… the fiery sound bubbles and fizzes from start to finish, from the initial storm to the final kiss theme, the score is breathtakingly rendered by Julia Jones’s conducting.” - Christophe Rizoud, Forum Opera
“in the pit [Julia Jones] ensures a perfect harmony between singers and the Orchestre de l’Opéra National de Bordeaux” - Bruno Serrou, La Croix.
”In the pit, the Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine is faultless under the urgent direction of Julia Jones: she gives the score a stunning dramatic force” - Noël Tinazzi, Rue du Theatre.
“British director Julia Jones offered a brilliant reading of the opera, lively and attentive to detail. She drew an excellent performance from the orchestra, who had their sound under control at all times. This was one of the best performances I remember from Julia Jones, who will return to Bordeaux in a few months with Bluebeard’s Castle.” - José Mª. Irurzun, Seen and Heard International.
“In the pit, Julia Jones (whom the Primo Uomo logically comes to get for the final bows) repeats the miracle of her Madama Butterfly: brilliant orchestral sound, faultless ensemble and balance between voices and orchestra, highlighting the genius of the instrumentation of late Verdi and of course it all breathes and sings. The Orchestre National de Bordeaux gives her their best.” - Maxime Kaprielian, ResMusica.
Julia Jones will return to Bordeaux later this season for another new production: Bartok’s Bluebeard’s Castle, and later in 2014 she will conduct a new Aida in Macerata and Fidelio in Vienna, as well as revivals of Die Zauberflöte and Idomeneo at the Semperoper in Dresden.
