Critical Notices for "Turandot"

Chuck Lavazzi of KDHX and Operatic Saint Louis, Harrison Kaplan of BroadwayWorld.com, Darren Orf of St. Louis Magazine, Gerry Kowarsky of Two on the Aisle and Sarah Bryan Miller of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch have seen Union Avenue Opera's Turandot. Here's a sampling of what they had to say (to read full reviews, click on the reviewer's name):

"Alexandra LoBianco is riveting in the title role...Her character is rock solid, her performance is completely 'in the moment', and her voice is a thing of beauty ... [Von Felker, Sturdevant and Papas] have created fully realized, credible characters. Their second-act trio...is one of the highlights of the evening ... [T]he Union Avenue choristers carry [the music] off splendidly, with crisp enunciation and great precision ... Whether you’re a fan of Turandot or encountering its unsettling mythic world for the first time, you can’t go wrong with this production." --Chuck Lavazzi

"[T]he orchestra, conducted by artistic director Scott Schoonover is in fine fettle with their achievements here ... Mark James Meier's stage direction is superbly mounted, and the action is always clear and concise in execution ... Patrick Huber's multi-level scenic design is eye-catching, conjuring up the locale in nice fashion ... Teresa Doggett's costumes are well done as always, and also aid greatly in setting the proper atmosphere and mood ... Union Avenue Opera has set the bar high with this equally tragic and hopeful presentation of Puccini's Turandot." --Harrison Kaplan

"LoBianco’s strong-willed princess Turandot came to life in her powerful arias, and [Adam] Herskowitz’ bold voice fit the bold character of Calaf perfectly, but the performance that was most captivating was [Christia] Starnes’ Liu...Starnes’ voice filled the theater with all the pain and suffering of her character, and performed the most moving parts of the piece perfectly ... [T]he stage director (Mark James Meier) successfully maneuvered the 30 or more actors, never detracting from the central action or voice of the piece ... Turandot is stunning." --Darren Orf

"The Union Avenue orchestra plays very well under Scott Schoonover's direction. The delicate parts of the score are especially gorgeous ... LoBianco is a powerful Turandot and she meets her vocal match in Adam Laurence Herskowitz's Calàf ... Stage Director Mark James Meier marshals his forces well in the limited space available ... Fine work of the children's chorus reflects well on their director Rose Fischer-Vargas ... Next year Union Avenue will be tackling a reduced adaptation of 'Das Rheingold.' That's a lot to chew off, but I'm not going to bet against this little opera company that could." --Gerry Kowarsky

"LoBianco exhibited a beautifully steely voice and rare dramatic commitment as the bloodthirsty ice princess...one of the best all-around performances I can remember at UAO ... [Adam Herskowitz's] money notes...are both thrilling and absolutely solid. Christia Starnes...sang with gorgeous tone and enviable technique, spinning out her high notes flawlessly; her death scene was deeply affecting ... Aaron Stegemoller sang well as her master, Calaf's father, Timur ... Tenor Jon Garrett made a strong impression as the Emperor. Artistic director Scott Schoonover has an excellent feel for the score ... Union Avenue Opera's production of 'Turandot' is a winner." --Sarah Bryan Miller

Turandot concludes its run this weekend: Friday, July 15 and Saturday, July 16. Performances begin at 8pm. Sung in Italian with projected English supertitles. Venue: Union Avenue Christian Church located at 733 Union Blvd in St. Louis. Tickets range $30-52. Student Rush Tickets are $15 with valid Student ID (cash only) for any remaining seats available 15 minutes before curtain. To purchase tickets or learn more about this production, please visit http://www.unionavenueopera.org/ or call 314.361.2881