rbbKultur: “One need not say more — the new production was a total success.”
“James Gaffigan, in his first season as General Music Director at the Komische Oper, stepped into his new role with this production—a thoroughly convincing one that was far more than simply satisfactory. Though clearly a challenge, given the unbelievably multilayered score exhibiting Rimsky-Korsakov’s mastery of orchestration, Gaffigan brought that mastery to light with the best possible flare. There was no want of flamboyance in the cock’s crow nor in the ribald chorus and dance numbers, and any listener could hear how much refinement he poured into the preparation of this music.”
Berliner Morgenpost: “At the end of the premiere of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s The Golden Cockerel, the stage director was vociferously applauded. The same goes for the orchestra—led by General Music Director James Gaffigan—and the performers on the stage, or wherever they may have been placed in the hall. It is an excellent opera production, above all due to the music.”
“James Gaffigan and his orchestra exuded the chromatic harmonies of debauchery, the light and darkness of the fairy-tale, and especially the emotionality of the populace to great triumph.”
Süddeutsche Zeitung: “Conductor James Gaffigan displayed his supreme love of this music; he showed care for each of the tiniest details, and he commanded the music with vividness, excitement, and elegance.”
