Time’s Up!

The Time of Our Singing in St. Gallen wrapped last night with an electric performance by our entire cast and instrumental ensemble! It was such a wonderful experience to revisit Kris Defoort’s award-winning opera with a new orchestra, a new jazz quartet and an almost entirely new cast, and while tonight’s performance completes the original co-production between Theater St. Gallen and Belgian commissioning house La Monnaie / De Munt, the Strom family saga will return to the stage in the not too distant future… so watch this space!  For the moment, however, here are some press excerpts, which document the success of the production: 

“Kris Defoort succeeds in making what is actually a heterogeneous tonal language surprisingly homogeneous, such that The Time of Our Singing delivers a highly varied and exciting music theatre experience. This is of course also due to the skillful musical direction of conductor Kwamé Ryan, who is versed in all required styles, as well as an excellent cast of singers, all equally strong vocalists and actors.” (Swiss Radio 2 Culture)

“The opera hits a contemporary nerve, stimulating reflection while providing insight into the problems black people have faced and still face. Based on the novel by Richard Powers, this is an inspiring work, delivered via top notch acting and a unique musical rendition in a performance celebrated, for good reason, by a unanimous standing ovation.” (Vorarlberger News)

“The musical ensemble […] under the direction of Kwamé Ryan is as dazzlingly colorful as the opera’s thematic material […]” (RoccoSound)

“The St.Gallen ensemble is strong, confident and switches between genres with ease. […] “The Time of Our Singing” is a musical masterpiece in every aspect: Composition, Orchestra, Musical Direction and Cast.” (Young Theater Critic)