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ReviewsMetropolitan Opera, NYTales of Hoffmann. "It says a lot about the Met's superb casting of Offenbach's Les contes d'Hoffmann that even James Levine's absence was hardly noticed... The conductor was indisposed, and assistant conductor Franz Vote who stepped in, kept the pace beautifully. It was brisk and alert, or expansive, as the moment required." - Shirley Fleming, New York Daily NewsTales of Hoffmann. "At the performance I attended, ailing conductor James Levine was replaced by Franz Vote, who led the orchestra with a refined hand that occasionally gave in to a passion to match the drama on stage." - Plemmons, Internet Review Tales of Hoffmann. "But during the curtain call, a very unusual thing happened. Usually half or more of the musicians have left the orchestra pit by the time the conductor gets to take his curtain call, and he then has to stand there and extend his gratitude to an almost empty pit. Not this time. Last night most, if not all of the musicians stayed in their spots, and what's more, they stood up and avidly applauded Franz Vote." - Chesley Plemmons, The News-Times Madama Butterfly. "A couple of nights later, when Franz Vote made his conducting debut, the MET orchestra and Gorchakova came to life in a way unseen at her debut under the baton of Gatti. The orchestral lines, as well as the sounds of both the orchestra and Cio-Cio-San, were crips and clean. The emotional intensity of Mr. Vote's conducting, combined with Gorchakova's acting, seemed just right and thus a pleasure." - Review from Sevdnaya, Moscow (translation by the author, Ibrahim Quraishi) Seattle Opera, WA'Ring' Cycles. "Again and again during the four evenings in the packed theater the comment was heard: Musically, this is the best 'Ring' I've ever seen. And, clearly, it is... Musical 'Wotan' of the production, however, is conductor Franz Vote, a sovereign presence throughout this 17 hours of music... Vote is an old-school Wagnerian, who takes his time with the 'Ring', and knows exactly how to supply the help the singers need from the pit. From all reports this is a 'Ring' far superior to the one at stage in Bayreuth this summer. Hats off and an extra round of mead to Jenkins et al!" - Review from Wes Blomster, OPERA NOW (Musical America Online)'Ring' Cycles. "In the pit, Franz Vote was sensitive to pacing and drama, and he maintained careful balance between the voices and the orchestra. No one element was ever allowed to dominate in this 'Ring'. Wagner wrote it as total theater, and it was." - Heidi Waleson, The Wall Street Journal 'Ring' Cycles. "Equally responsive was the orchestra, under the baton of Franz Vote, who drew fervent cheering from the audience for a performance of considerable lyricism. Crucial woodwind interludes, vital horn and brass choirs, and the challenging music for strings all were beautifully realized. Here is an orchestra that really understands this music, and a conductor who brings out the best in his players." - Melinda Bargreen, Seattle Times 'Ring' Cycles. "For its much-anticipated new production of the 'Ring', the Seattle Opera wanted to restore the work to its ruggedly natural setting... Whatever its missteps, Seattle's Ring was often beautiful, conceptually unified (until the end) and musically strong. The sound of the orchestra sometimes lacked warmth and body, and there were glitches here and there. But Mr Vote brought vigor and textual clarity to the score." - Anthony Tommasini, The New York Times Opera, Guangzhou, ChinaEuropean Opera Concerts. "A groundbreaking cultural exchange between members of the Metropolitan Opera, the Pearl River Film Symphony Orchestra, and the Xinghai (South China) Conservatory of Music took place under the auspices of Radio Guangdong and its Director, Madame Bai. These Gala Concerts, as well as master classes and coachings, were organized by mezzo-soprano and Guangzhou native Yun Deng and led by conductor Franz Vote. Singers included Nancy Allen, Yun Deng, Richard Fracker, and Haijing Fu. A vocal master class also took place at the Xinghai Conservatory in which Franz Vote coached a number of the top students on major operatic arias.""Although the Pearl River Film Symphony Orchestra had never before performed European operatic music, they rehearsed enthusiastically under Maestro Vote’s superb artistic direction... Franz Vote is the most excellent conductor among those visiting domestic and international conductors (the orchestra) has ever worked with." - Review from ZhongHe Huang, Pearl River Film Company |
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