Washington Post: "Such Ardor"

The Washington Post reviewed "Free to Sing: The Story of the First African-American Opera Company."

The Post had this to say about the Post-Classical Ensemble:

It was also utterly charming, so lovingly cast and accompanied with such ardor by Angel Gil-Ordonez and the Post-Classical Ensemble that it would have taken a curmudgeon to resist its appeal.

Click on The Washington Post logo to read the full article (Monday, February 18, 2008; Page C01):

Baltimore Sun: Free to Sing "Thoroughly Persuasive, Classy"

The Baltimore Sun reviewed "Free to Sing: The Story of the First African-American Opera Company," saying, "It was a thoroughly persuasive, classy performance that paid fitting tribute to the forgotten Eichberg and the little-known ensemble of black singers that made its bold mark with his music more than a century ago."

The Sun had this to say about the Post-Classical Ensemble:

The orchestra of the Post-Classical Ensemble played with an admirable sheen. Conductor Angel Gil-Ordonez brought to the score delightful rhythmic flexibility and lyrical nuance.

Click the paper's logo below to read the full article:

Washington Times: "Lively... Almost Mischievous"

The Washington Times reviewed "Free to Sing: The Story of the First African-American Opera Company," which featured the first performance of the operetta "The Doctor of Alcantara" in 100 years.

The Times said:

There was fine comic interplay and often superb singing ... But much of the evening's pleasure came from the Post-Classical Ensemble and its expressively kinetic conductor, Angel Gil-Ordonez, who turned in lively, detailed and almost mischievous playing, making this work seem as fresh as it must have more than a century ago — back in the first heady years of freedom.

Click on the Washington Times logo below to read the full article:

Free to Sing at Strathmore

The Carroll County Times reports on the upcoming performance "Free to Sing" at the Strathmore in Bethesda, MD, for which the Post-Classical Ensemble will be performing the score.

"It's one of the most interesting stories reflecting both Washington, D.C.'s and America's cultural heritage," the newspaper says. "It's also one of the most rarely told."

"Free to Sing" is the inspiring story of the Colored American Opera Company, the first black opera troupe in the United States. It includes a performance of Julius Eichberg's American operetta "The Doctor of Alcantara," as well as a recently discovered John Philip Sousa work.

Read more by clicking on the icon, below:

Washington Post: Best Bets - Free to Sing

The Washington Post has listed "Free to Sing" on its Best Bets list -- see article.

Washington Examiner: Free to Sing

The Washington Examiner reports on "Free to Sing" at the Strathmore - read article.

Washington Post: Save the Date - Free to Sing

The Washington Post has listed "Free to Sing" on its "Save the Date" list -- read the article.