OPERA NEWS
Captivating...Conductor Mark Shapiro led with crisp elegance. [Juilliard Opera The Rake's Progress] Image:©2022 Richard Termine
Captivating...Conductor Mark Shapiro led with crisp elegance. [Juilliard Opera The Rake's Progress] Image:©2022 Richard Termine
The New York Times
The insightful conductor Mark Shapiro draws subtle and dynamic playing from the excellent orchestra. 'Juilliard Opera: Benjamin Britten The Rape of Lucretia.'
The insightful conductor Mark Shapiro draws subtle and dynamic playing from the excellent orchestra. 'Juilliard Opera: Benjamin Britten The Rape of Lucretia.'
International Record Review
The principle roles are well characterized and sung, and the instrumental playing first-rate. Le Vin Herbé is full of beauties but the whole is more than the sum of the parts, and Mark Shapiro’s and his colleagues’ love for the score shines through every bar.
The principle roles are well characterized and sung, and the instrumental playing first-rate. Le Vin Herbé is full of beauties but the whole is more than the sum of the parts, and Mark Shapiro’s and his colleagues’ love for the score shines through every bar.
The line dividing opera and musical theater has never been clear. But in recent times both forms have been expanding, and crossovers are increasingly common.
The line dividing opera and musical theater has never been clear. But in recent times both forms have been expanding, and crossovers are increasingly common.
Leading eight vocalists and 13 instrumentalists, Mark Shapiro carefully sculpted this rarified early Britten score, infusing it with passion as needed. [The Rape of Lucretia]
Leading eight vocalists and 13 instrumentalists, Mark Shapiro carefully sculpted this rarified early Britten score, infusing it with passion as needed. [The Rape of Lucretia]
Shapiro achieved a superb balance between pit and stage. The orchestra played with stylistic spirit and clarity. [The Magic Flute]
Shapiro achieved a superb balance between pit and stage. The orchestra played with stylistic spirit and clarity. [The Magic Flute]
...Shapiro proved a deft and sensitive conductor, conveying the best of the music...dramatically effective…fine musicianship...compelling opera. [The Pearl Fishers]
...Shapiro proved a deft and sensitive conductor, conveying the best of the music...dramatically effective…fine musicianship...compelling opera. [The Pearl Fishers]
Mr. Shapiro had the measure of the work and led it surely. [Le vin herbé]
Mr. Shapiro had the measure of the work and led it surely. [Le vin herbé]
NED ROREM
Ideal performances.
Ideal performances.
Superb artistry...conviction and elegance. [Echoes and Shadows]
Superb artistry...conviction and elegance. [Echoes and Shadows]
Outstandingly accompanied by a fine Burlington Chamber Orchestra...Mark Shapiro, the music director, [offered] spirit, flexibility and sensitivity in his conducting and harpsichord playing... [The Barber of Seville]
Outstandingly accompanied by a fine Burlington Chamber Orchestra...Mark Shapiro, the music director, [offered] spirit, flexibility and sensitivity in his conducting and harpsichord playing... [The Barber of Seville]
Exciting new voices in contemporary music...emotional authenticity. [Echoes and Shadows]
Exciting new voices in contemporary music...emotional authenticity. [Echoes and Shadows]
Throughout the evening, the large choir and the orchestra were thrilling...The singing was meaty and passionate...Artistic Director Mark Shapiro clearly understands this work and is undaunted by the scope of its vision, and he succeeded in communicating that vision to both [the orchestra and the large choir]. [Bruckner Mass in F Minor]
Throughout the evening, the large choir and the orchestra were thrilling...The singing was meaty and passionate...Artistic Director Mark Shapiro clearly understands this work and is undaunted by the scope of its vision, and he succeeded in communicating that vision to both [the orchestra and the large choir]. [Bruckner Mass in F Minor]
The Asbury Park Press
The conducting style of Mark Shapiro is filled with energy and intensity...This energetic approach, aided by sterling work in the choir and some moving solos, lifted this performance and made it a moving experience for the audience. [Handel Judas Maccabeus]
The conducting style of Mark Shapiro is filled with energy and intensity...This energetic approach, aided by sterling work in the choir and some moving solos, lifted this performance and made it a moving experience for the audience. [Handel Judas Maccabeus]
Opera News
[T]rue devotion and commitment...glorious...Shapiro led with superb pacing and great confidence. [Arvo Pärt Kanon Pokajanen with Cantori New York]
[T]rue devotion and commitment...glorious...Shapiro led with superb pacing and great confidence. [Arvo Pärt Kanon Pokajanen with Cantori New York]
Mark Shapiro combined all the elements - orchestra, chorus, and soloists - in a sympathetic and well-crafted whole...a nuanced performance with a firm sense of line and coherent, even expressive phrasing...The Missa Solemnis is full of technical pitfalls made all the more dangerous by the music’s glorious lulling sheen. To his credit, Shapiro never lost sight of the music’s ultimate aim by focusing too tightly on these difficulties. On the other hand, under his baton there was no problem that did not have a solution.
Mark Shapiro combined all the elements - orchestra, chorus, and soloists - in a sympathetic and well-crafted whole...a nuanced performance with a firm sense of line and coherent, even expressive phrasing...The Missa Solemnis is full of technical pitfalls made all the more dangerous by the music’s glorious lulling sheen. To his credit, Shapiro never lost sight of the music’s ultimate aim by focusing too tightly on these difficulties. On the other hand, under his baton there was no problem that did not have a solution.
[D]irected by Mark Shapiro, [the choir] sang with uncommon polish. Few part-time choruses produce as unified and velvety a sound.
[D]irected by Mark Shapiro, [the choir] sang with uncommon polish. Few part-time choruses produce as unified and velvety a sound.
The Janacek Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of conductor Mark Shapiro always provide the signature Philip Glass rhythmic pulse so intrinsic to minimalism, which well underpins the violin’s soaring lyricism.
The Janacek Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of conductor Mark Shapiro always provide the signature Philip Glass rhythmic pulse so intrinsic to minimalism, which well underpins the violin’s soaring lyricism.
Glass Hour, in short, has everything going for it. It is later Philip Glass at his best and Gregory Harrington puts it all together with Mark Shapiro and the Janacek Philharmonic for what seems to me destined to be the benchmark standard. Bravo!
Glass Hour, in short, has everything going for it. It is later Philip Glass at his best and Gregory Harrington puts it all together with Mark Shapiro and the Janacek Philharmonic for what seems to me destined to be the benchmark standard. Bravo!
A conversation with Mark Shapiro
Music lovers are in for a treat this Sunday during the P.E.I. Symphony Orchestra's (PEISO) first concert of the season at Zion Presbyterian Church in Charlottetown, starting at 2:30 p.m.
Music lovers are in for a treat this Sunday during the P.E.I. Symphony Orchestra's (PEISO) first concert of the season at Zion Presbyterian Church in Charlottetown, starting at 2:30 p.m.
The PEI Symphony Orchestra brought its 51st season to conclusion spectacularly…. Mahler’s third symphony has never been performed on the Island before….[it was] a monumental undertaking. As Maestro Shapiro said, we would be climbing a mountain together that afternoon, conductor, musicians, singers and audience…fabulous.
The PEI Symphony Orchestra brought its 51st season to conclusion spectacularly…. Mahler’s third symphony has never been performed on the Island before….[it was] a monumental undertaking. As Maestro Shapiro said, we would be climbing a mountain together that afternoon, conductor, musicians, singers and audience…fabulous.
P.E.I. Symphony Orchestra finds permanent home at Confederation Centre of the Arts
“We’ve agreed to work together toward a mutual benefit,” said McCosham. “A healthy Confederation Centre has a healthy symphony and vice-versa.”
“We’ve agreed to work together toward a mutual benefit,” said McCosham. “A healthy Confederation Centre has a healthy symphony and vice-versa.”
Shapiro turned out to be a genial host with easy-going explanations...in the Gustav Meier tradition...[A] winning combination of lush strings and brasses gave this timeless classic a dreamlike quality full of deep sentiment.
Shapiro turned out to be a genial host with easy-going explanations...in the Gustav Meier tradition...[A] winning combination of lush strings and brasses gave this timeless classic a dreamlike quality full of deep sentiment.
[A] drive that kept the music feeling alive and evocative...[C]onductor, singers and instrumentalists should be applauded...a tribute to Shapiro’s ability...erudite and far-reaching. [Les Noces]
[A] drive that kept the music feeling alive and evocative...[C]onductor, singers and instrumentalists should be applauded...a tribute to Shapiro’s ability...erudite and far-reaching. [Les Noces]
What can I say about the orchestra? There’s really only one way to put it. They were on fire.
What can I say about the orchestra? There’s really only one way to put it. They were on fire.
Challenging passages felt clean and velvety. Shapiro’s perspicuous gestures accurately telegraphed the changing moods, tempi, and shapes of phrases…. [Ethel Smyth The Prison]
Challenging passages felt clean and velvety. Shapiro’s perspicuous gestures accurately telegraphed the changing moods, tempi, and shapes of phrases…. [Ethel Smyth The Prison]