Il Ritorno d’Ulisse in Patria

★★★★★ HERALD SCOTLAND ...the moments of unaccompanied singing from various ensembles and songs like the duet of Ulisse and the faithful Eumete (Francisco Fernandez-Rueda) quite exquisite.

★★★★ THE SCOTSMAN The English Baroque Soloists were in fine fettle

SEEN AND HEARD INTERNATIONAL In short, this was another triumph. I can’t wait to see what he does with Poppea.

Orfeo

★★★★★ HERALD SCOTLAND YET another extraordinary evening of opera in the Usher Hall […] Gardiner and his superb international cast then deliver the goods, with consummate style.

SEEN AND HEARD INTERNATIONAL The cast were all remarkably sensitive to the demands of the Renaissance style. […] The winds provided exceptional colour when required, but I particularly liked the sensitivity of the strings, who could bounce with joy during the early scenes, but also produce sounds of unbearable poignancy when required.

L’incoronzione di Poppea

★★★★★ THE SCOTSMAN And the musicians produced a gloriously rich, supple tapestry of sound, alive to the singers’ caressing lines. Gardiner had an exemplary cast, too

SEEN AND HEARD INTERNATIONAL But, of course, the real star of the cycle has been Gardiner himself, directing the unfolding drama with what looked like nonchalance but sounded like a lifetime’s experience and skill. […] The Monteverdi trilogy has been one of the cornerstones of this year’s Edinburgh International Festival.

The Trilogy

SCOTTISH DAILY MAIL In common with the rest of her (Euridice) cast, she was superb. […] The entire production was superbly marshalled by Gardiner himself. […] This really is the sort of thing for which we have an International Festival.

★★★★★ THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH This is a living Opera, projecting thrillingly into a large space without ever losing focus or energy. […] Gardiner conducts all three with absolute authority, and his players and singers, cross-cast, work as a seamless team.