Austin Lyric Opera premiered The Elixir of Love to Austin audiences May 1-4 at The Long Center. Featuring ALO’s acclaimed orchestra led by Maestro Richard Buckley and chorus led by Marc Erck, the production welcomed principal performers Rene Barbera, Sara Gartland, Peter Strummer, Kelly Markgraf and Sara Ann Mitchell, all led by director Joseph Evans.
Broadway World Review by Jeff Davis, May 2, 2014
“As should be expected from any show by Austin Lyric Opera, the production values here are top notch.”
Austin American-Statesman Review by Luke Quinton, May 2, 2014
“The big, buoyant ensemble (led by Marc David Erck) really gets put to work, and their enthusiasm helps carry the opera along its merry way. The scene with Nemorino’s suprise suitors was especially worth savoring…
“Under the steady baton of Principal Conductor Richard Buckley, the orchestra whips through this one at a merry pace, and positively shone in solos, especially the bassoon in Nemorino’s second act aria, ‘Una Furtiva Lagrima.'”
Austin Post Review by Patrick Dixon, May 2, 2014
“The audience fell in love with Barbera’s outstanding tenor command and joyful antics.”
Austin American-Statesman Profile by Jeanne Claire van Ryzin, April 26, 2014
For tenor Rene Barbera, it’s been a circuitous route to an opera career