In Review: Birsan and Angus in BLO "Le nozze di Figaro"
"this more wooden take on the character gave Emily Birsan space to step up as a brilliant Susanna, nearly nudging Figaro out as main character and primary mover of the comic drama. Both leads showed fine, well-matched voices and lithe Mozartean instincts. . . The orchestra, under David Angus, played with admirable finesse"
-The Boston Musical Intelligencer Read full review. "The performance was meticulously conducted by David Angus . . .Hughes and Birsan made a believable couple who could deliver musically and convey the lightness and poetry of the piece with genuine musicality and sparkling presence." -South Shore Critic Read full review. "The spry-voiced soprano Emily Birsan was a delightful and streetwise Susanna, and her skeptical look of disgust toward the slimier male characters brought the house down in laughter more than once. Even where the surtitles failed, as they did on a few occasions, all that needed to be communicated was written on her face. . . Under the baton of David Angus, the orchestral sound was lush but lean" -Boston Globe Read full review.
"Soprano Emily Birsan sang the part of Susanna to perfection. A fine musician, her intonation was dead on throughout the evening, and her silvery tone proved ideal for the role. Her rendition of "Deh vieni non tardar," Susanna's final aria, was nothing short of ethereal. . . “David Angus conducted with his usual high level of proficiency. His tempi were characteristically brisk, which made sense for an opera the length of "The Marriage of Figaro." Yet he did seize the opportunity to relax at the broadly lyrical moments. As always, the orchestra played quite well under his baton.” -Edge Media Network
"Emily Birsan was clear and precise as Susanna, irrepressible and even more determined and wily than her future husband. . . David Angus, dressed just like the stagehands, led a jaunty, adroit, and attentive performance.” -BachTrack.com
“The music is carried off beautifully by Conductor David Angus and his crew; … The orchestra is precise and right on the mark.” -BostonArtsDiary.com