"Rarely has the San Diego Opera Orchestra sounded as wonderful as it did on opening night with resident conductor Karen Keltner presiding. I absolutely could not resist going back stage to congratulate her on her fine work with this score. When you start hearing things you never heard before, when you sense shapes that once seemed formless, when seemingly scattered notes suddenly become coherent and deeply moving musical phrases, and when the sound sweeps you along like an ocean -- then you know somebody with a first-rate musical intelligence is in charge. Just compare the Chandos recording and you'll hear the difference. Under Keltner the entire opera has a propulsive, dramatic persuasiveness that is terribly exciting."

-David Gregson
San Diego Magazine online editiion, March 23, 2003

Photos: © Ken Howard