AOP Performance Review: "In the Penal Colony"
Three cheers for In the Penal Colony, presented by AOP and the String Orchestra of Brooklyn at Saint Ann and the Holy Trinity on October 1st! Bass Matt Boehler and Tenor Jason Papowitz, along with conductor Eli Spindel and director Sam Helfrich, were halfway to the reception hall when they were called back to the stage by prolonged applause for a second curtain call. AOP and SOB's presentation of Philip Glass’s In the Penal Colony (based on the short story by Franz Kafka) was an evening abuzz with a newfound and zealous appreciation for Glass’s classic opera, not lessened by the fact that it featured a full string orchestra as opposed to the usual string quintet called for in the score.
“Sung and played quite beautifully”—New York Classical Review
“Superb diction, an eerie, caressing lyricism”—The Wall Street Journal
“Playing that illuminated every mood of this haunting score”—The New York Times
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