Rayfield Allied’s conductor and Opera North Musical Director Garry Walker and baritone Richard Burkhard (Ford) have been garnering outstanding reviews in Opera North’s new production of Falstaff:
"...Richard Burkhard (a brilliantly sung Ford)..."
"And, bubbling along through the whole opera, the Opera North orchestra supplies outstandingly vibrant, witty and detailed playing under Garry Walker’s direction."
- Richard Morrison, The Times ★ ★ ★ ★
... and Richard Burkhard’s Ford especially luxurious casting; both sang with their customary finesse and acted with the skill which so many of us have enjoyed at Garsington and other houses.
- Melanie Eskenazi, Music OMH
"Richard Burkhard brings a dash of Verdian panache to Ford’s mock-serious jealousy aria..."
- Sarah Noble, The Guardian ★ ★ ★ ★
"Richard Burkhard is ideal for the pompous paterfamilias Ford..."
"It’s conducted with superlative skill by Opera North music director Garry Walker, fulfilling his observation of its “almost soufflé-esque lightness” with delicacy and poise, and some highly spirited tempi. Keeping everything together, voices and orchestra, in that manner is both difficult and immensely rewarding, but he and they did it with barely a moment’s falter.
- Robert Beale, The Arts Desk
"Alice’s husband Ford (Richard Burkhard) is admirably forceful..."
"Conductor Garry Walker drives the Opera North Orchestra vigorously, and coaxes some delicate sonorities from the wind in the wonderfully scored third act..."
Nicholas Kenyon, The Telegraph ★ ★ ★ ★
"Richard Burkhard delivers Ford’s ‘Jealousy’ aria in authentic Verdian style."
- Geoffrey Mogridge, Ilkley Gazette
"Opera North’s music director Garry Walker is in the pit. He and the orchestra surpass themselves in a reading of the score in which both the wondrous detail of the composer’s invention and his sheer musical wit are superbly realised."
- George Hall, The Stage ★ ★ ★ ★
There are still 9 performances of Falstaff. Find out more and book tickets here!
