BARN OPERA Reviews

     We loved the performances, generosity and talent of all singers. The overall atmosphere was fun.

   The cast was superb!!! The three kings: amazing. The weak link was the pianist - more practice??

   it was just fabulous...the voices were amazing

   What a wonderful night at the opera

 However, for the price of the ticket the quality of the food and wine was under par. We hope that Barn Opera will have continued success and look forward to attending future performance productions.

     Our party of 4 really enjoyed the 2nd show. I forgot to reach out to Ms Welch regarding a space in South Burl8ngton, so I'll leave my contact info here. Jmurray@SouthBurlingtonVT.gov Jennifer Murray

     As always, the singers were fabulous. But the piano was too loud, and the building did not have good acoustics. I practically know the words by heart, and I had to explain some of them to my friends later, who didn't catch them. But we really do appreciate the effort all of you go to bring us this wonderful piece.Next time we'll probably go to Salisbury, even though it's a longer drive. Merry Christmas,

   Venue proved challenging for viewing. Elevation of the performers/stage would be better. Missed Amahl playing the flute. That was a key introit of sorts in the original and subsequent filmed productions. Otherwise, full of energy and best seen if you already know the story and have seen the production elsewhere more than once. The venue was challenging for audience experience unless you were in the first two or three rows. No way I can see to submit this review.

   Beautifully done! It brought back memories of when my high school put on a production in the 70's.

   loved loved loved it but it was so hard not to sing along!

   Overall a wonderful, simple production. The voices were top notch, costumes looked great, but I had a few staging issues mostly related to the constraints of the playing area. I’m not a big opera fan but Amahl has a special place in my heart. Born in ‘54, I remember watching it many times as I grew up. It was a family tradition. Thanks for bringing it to life.

     A wonderful holiday event! Glorious voices!

   Loved it

   Year 4 and the most beautiful yet!! The lighting is ethereal and definitely sets the mood. The cast is having even more fun with their roles and it is delightful! And of course, the voices......ooooh the voices!!

     It was excellent!! (Already looking forward to next year!!)

     I absolutely loved it. The whole thing was gorgeous. I have listened to this opera all my life. The only complaint I have is that you changed the classic (beloved) ljne "there are NOT two kings, there are three kings . . . and one of them is black!) What does "one of them is like me:" supposed to mean? I can see changing the line (maybe) if you did not have a Black king, but you did. That was weird. Sorry ... it bothered me all the way home. . .

     It was wonderful! As usual. the story is so moving...It brought tears to my eyes.! The performers were outstanding!! Thank you so much for bringing us this production!!

   great show

   Absolutely wonderful! My second time and I will make sure to make it a yearly event!

 Barn Opera put on a wonderful production of La Cenerentola. Not only were the voices fantastic but they engaged with the kids so well that the next day my older daughter was pleading to go see it again.

     Their singing was magical. Singing in close harmony and at times in dissonance is very difficult. Stardust was magical and one could see in their faces that they enjoyed singing it. Keen sounded like a human synthesizer who knew that voices could make those sounds? Please bring then back.

 This group was fabulous! The musicians demonstrated amazing technical skills while delivering great renditions of the selected songs. I look forward to seeing them again!

     lovely voices. We had hoped to hear work by Avro Parks but perhaps next time

 This was our first event of the OCMF and at the Barn with both being a great experience. The performers were so emotive and connected throughout the whole performance.

   The Champlain Trio presented a very moving and vibrant concert. I hope to hear them again.

     Absolutely amazing!

   Thoroughly enjoyable

   I would have loved to have seen the libretto before the performance either on line or in a program. A synopsis did help but I wanted to hear all the words including those in Italian. The music was gorgeous. Phil Henderson did an amazing job. Singers were fantastic as was the dancer. I especially liked JoAnna and Sarah as singers.

   I can’t say enough good things about this show. Older Charlotte was amazing. And we cannot stop talking about the pianist!!! More than amazing. I would love to attend a concert/performance of hers. The welcome we feel arriving at the barn is special. Keep up the exceptional work y’all’s are doing!!!

 The opera was incredibly moving, and brilliantly staged with minimal space and props. The singing was top notch, and the pianist was a performance all her own. We'll be attending every performance Barn Opera offers! Bravo!

   It was another wonderful experience. The music, the singing, the acting, the message. Thank you. Four stars out of five because the Old Charlotte was hard to hear on the side of the audience away from her. She needed to be miked or her words needed to be on the super titles even though she was speaking English. When there was accompaniment to her speaking, it was even more difficult.

   I was astonished to see everyone with tablets! It was very silly! The males all looked great, while the females- all dressed in different outfits- didn't. I think that I'll stick to your operas. The food was awesome, though the meatballs were...not.Thanks for all your efforts!

   Fabulous show and venue !

 My son, Thatcher, and my two grandchildren, Oprea and Hartley, loved it also. They always have to dash down from Middlebury after hockey practice! They just made it on time! Phew!!

     fantastic. Just as good as last year. All were good but Mrs Lyons should be on the MET stage! Hank and Josie Kaestner

   totally awesome!

   Loved the space…the people…the bar (ps. IOU). The band was more middle of road for me. I guess i wanted to hear more traditional or upbeat?! Love the space and will patronize it again! Happy Holidazzz!

     Cozy space for an intimate concert experience!

   Amazing evening in the beautiful Barn! The Seamus Egan Project was masterful and soulful (is that a word?!!!) There is nothing like the energy of seeing people living what they love

   It was a lovely intimate event. Loved it.

   Superb quality of musicianship, beautifully presented. Please bring them back!

   We hope you will consider other non-operetic performers in the future.

   Fabulous show

   Beautiful space, warm and welcoming staff, festive atmosphere, great community spirit, fantastic musicians and performers.

  The venue is amazing, the group was sublime, the acoustics in the balcony however were subpar ;-). We’ll be back however!

     I didn't really understand the story until I came home and read it in my opera guide! It was a strange storyline- the comparison and coming together of the two types of performances- but both sopranos and "Bacchus" did a great job! My seat in the front row of the mezz wasn't all that great- too many heads in the way- so next time, I shall buy my ticket earlier! Not crazy about the spiral steps, either...should have just come up the regular side steps. &

   Good choice for a small venue.

 This opera was fun to watch. The acting and singing were really good. This small barn venue is such an intimate place. What we appreciated most, was the subtitles since this opera was sung mostly in German - especially Act 2. With the subtitles, we could follow the storyline. Without them, we would have missed that entirely. Understanding the story was half of the opera. So, thank you so much for those subtitles. Because you do that, we will be back for another opera!

   A diamond in the rough. Energetic and entertaining as some talented performers sing and bounce their way through Strauss's Ariadne auf Naxos.

   It was our first time at Barn Opera. We thought the venue was pure Vermont - rustic, comfortable, intimate and fun. The performances were outstanding and the voices, in particular, were wonderful. It was also great that the performers, director et al seemed to be having as much fun as the audience. We'll be back! As an aside, our son (Jake Lacy, Drama '08) attended NCSA at roughly the same time as Josh Collier - what a wonderful training ground for performance artists!

     This is in many ways what Comic Opera (Opera buffa) is supposed to be: a spoof. This was right on! May I suggest you do at some point, maybe also as part of a double-billing: "La Serva Padrona" another laugh-out-loud spoof chamber opera? Thank you, Josh, for what you do for our community.

     👍

 Everything about the evening was stellar, from the hors d'oeuvres to the setting, the musical choice to the singers, the pianist to the beverages, the host and Jack of All Trades Josh to the chilis, the desserts to the champagne toast, and of course the after opera entertainment. What a wonderful way to start the new year! Thank you for bringing opera and fine talent to Brandon and to Rutland County. I look forward to many more musical events to come. I'm hooked!

   Superior evening. Wonderful music, incredible ambiance, extremely welcoming hosts, very uplifting and supportive audience. Just what I needed to start this holiday season! And The Opera Barn is just an amazing spirital space:)

   Wonderfully talented!

     This was my first opera! Thank you for making it such an amazing experience. I will definitely Return!

     It was simply AMAZING❤️👏thank you for lol your hard work. the experience was even better as our car did not get stuck this time….congratulations on this awesome experience and performance. Love you all…. Karen Harrison

  We had a wonderful evening and are grateful that we get to see La traviata, live in a truly beautiful space. The performances got better fromAct I to Act ll: the three protagonists sang with warmth and beautiful energy. The story was told with great clarity. Thank you, Barn Opera! We look forward to coming back, and back, and back again.

   Kasey I think stole the show, her acting was spot on, and her voice is stunning and hauntingly beautiful. It brought me to tears and rang in my head all the way home. It was a great production with Joshua and Nicholas both harmonizing well with Kaseys voice while the acting and singing of the entire cast made the evening entirely enjoyable. It was great to see such an impressive event in the ‘backwoods’ of Brandon and I feel fortunate to have been there tonight.

       Why is this even showing as we didn’t attend on Friday ?!

     What a beautiful wonderful experience, especially for my first time in a theater since spring of 2020. Also my first live Opera ever, and great to have it in the barn that I've driven by daily for over 30 yrs. The music was beautiful with songs warmly filling the barn. I also loved that the cast really portrayed their emotions with voice and actions throughout. A great night for me. Thank you to all for sharing your talents with us.

       Wow what an experience! Stunning barn transformation filled with amazing talent and we are still in Brandon! Bravo Josh and company!

    Loved it! The performers were first class. The setting allowed a closeness to the performers and the acoustics were great. Looking forward to the next time.

 LOVED the production and talented cast. Bravo! As good as any professional production I have seen, including in the UK. Violetta and Alfredo were superb. Special shout out for our friend Ryan! Oh, and thanks for the champagne - nice touch!