On 2 July, Garsington Opera opened its new production of Rossini's Le Comte Ory, directed by Cal McCrystal and conducted by Valentina Peleggi.
Mezzo soprano Katie Bray returns to the company for her role debut as Isolier, having previously brought her finesse for Rossini to the roles of Zulma L'Italiana in Algeri and Zaida Il Turco in Italia. She has been praised by the critics for her performance:
"Andrea Carroll is most persuasive as the Countess, and Katie Bray perhaps even more so in the trouser role of the page Isolier."
- David Mellor, Daily Mail
"Bray makes a fine Isolier, knowing and spirited"
- Tim Ashley, The Guardian
"The cast goes for it in a big way, and everyone is so comprehensively on top of their game, vocally, that the technical achievement barely registers...The whole company is equally agile, whether it’s tenor Jack Swanson as Ory or Katie Bray as the amorous pageboy Isolier"
- Richard Bratby, The Spectator
"Katie Bray brought her usual energy to the trouser role of Isolier, showing a graceful line and delicate articulation."
- Dominic Lowe, Bachtrack
Le Comte Ory runs until 25 July - read more about the production here.
Photo credit: Craig Fuller
