Simon Romanos has conducted orchestras, ensembles, and opera in Britain, Eastern and Western Europe, and Australasia. Reviewers have praised him throughout his career for his energy, his interpretation, and his richness of sound. You can read most of the reviews in full, at their source or here, by clicking their titles.
Great charm and musicality: Orfeo by Monteverdi
Michael Gilchrist, theatreview.org.nz, August 2018
‘…the stylistic accuracy which flows from Romanos — who is centre stage here, moving gracefully and tellingly… helps to produce a responsive and intimate setting in which the singers can perform at their best…’
Monteverdi’s Orfeo — A rarely comest ‘spirit of delight’ from Eternity Opera
Peter Mechen, middle-c.org, August 2018
‘He seemed to give the individual singers the space they required to properly ‘phrase’ their individual figurations, and the instrumental ensemble similar leeway throughout…’
Opera Around the World: Wellington, New Zealand — Monteverdi’s Orfeo
Lindis Taylor, Opera Magazine UK, Volume 69 no.12, December 2018 (review available soon)
‘…they were energetically led by music director, Simon Romanos…’
A concentrated experience of musical and theatrical delight
Tim Stevenson, theatreview.org.nz, August 2017
‘…how much skill and effort it takes to bring such a diversity of voices and instruments together in sublime unity…’
Eternity Opera’s ‘Figaro’ produces the goods at Wellington’s Hannah Playhouse
Peter Mechen, middle-c.org, August 2017
‘…enabled Mozart’s phrases and melodies to both sparkle and sing … so much exquisite detail to figure throughout in a fresh and disarming way…’
Eternity Opera’s triumph with The Marriage of Figaro — Delight with the second cast
Lindis Taylor, middle-c.org, August 2017
‘The dozen-strong orchestra, under Simon Romanos, was impressively accomplished…’
Opera Around the World: Wellington, New Zealand — The Marriage of Figaro
Lindis Taylor, Opera Magazine UK, Volume 68 no.12, December 2017 (review available soon)
‘Under the conductor Simon Romanos and director Alex Galvin, this double-cast production, sung in English, was unpretentious but vivid, witty and intelligent.’
Opera with energy and excitement — Eternity Opera Company’s Don Giovanni at the Hannah Playhouse
Peter Mechen, middle-c.org, August 2018
‘…immediately blown away by the impact of the Overture’s opening…’
Wonderfully engrossing
Pepe Becker , theatreview.org.nz, August 2018
‘…we have the added delight of seeing the interactions cast members have with instrumentalists and conductor, Simon Romanos…’
Don Giovanni scores impressively in performance by Eternity Opera’s second cast
Lindis Taylor, middle-c.org, August 2017
‘… a sort of youthful energy and gusto, and also demonstrating sensitivity to the singers’ needs.’
The Don rides out again — Eternity Opera’s ‘other’ Don Giovanni
Peter Mechen, middle-c.org, August 2016
‘… conducted with great energy and commitment by Simon Romanos, and expertly played by the first-rate ensemble.’
The Royal Academy of Music Composer Festival (Franco Donatoni 70th birthday) — preview, 1998
‘London audiences will have a rare opportunity to hear conductor Simon Romanos in action in February, with a birthday festival for Italy’s leading composer.’
Sydney Spring Ensemble: The EONTA Challenge
Roger Covell, Sydney Morning Herald, September 1995
‘The brass players’ concentration and sense of responsibility, guided by Woodward’s example and the direction of Simon Romanos, admirably previewed qualities displayed by larger groupings of the Sydney Spring Ensemble…’
Sydney Sun Herald
John Carmody, September 1995
‘…under the direction of Simon Romanos it seemed to be freshly rent from vast blocks of stone, as exciting to watch as it was to hear…’
An Engagement More Than Fulfilled
Vlado Chuchkov, The Evening, 1991
‘…place a spell on the orchestra and the audience, and to charm them with the beauty, diversity and strength of their vision…’
Tristan and Iseult review – Fine music, weak drama
David Gyger, Opera Australia, 1983
‘…conductor Simon Romanos was firmly in control of the proceedings from beginning to end…’