Opera Magazine | January 2019 Issue

Andrew Clark

​

"Gareth Williams' (...) willingness to tailor his own uncluttered musical language to Admiral Fallow’s ideas was the single most impressive element of Navigate the Blood."

Opera Scotland | November 2018

John Rivers

​

"There is a thrilling immediacy in being so close to the performers, who have nowhere to hide in James Robert Carson’s simple but effective production"

OperaWire | December 2018

Xenia Hanusiak

​

Best of 2018: OperaWire Staff Picks

ScotchWhisky.com | 06/11/2018

Tom Bruce-Gardyne

​

"There is a thrilling immediacy in being so close to the performers, who have nowhere to hide in James Robert Carson’s simple but effective production"

The Times | 07/11/2018

Simon Thompson

​

★ ★ ★ ★

Campbeltown Courier | 14/11/2018

Mark Davey

​

"a mesmerising musical feast"

The Herald | 05/11/2018

Keith Bruce

​

★ ★ ★ ★

The Herald | 15/10/2018

Neil Cooper

​

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

"Emanuel and Williams' trilogy honours the dead who have previously lain nameless in a way that lingers long after the music's final note has sounded"

The Stage | 15/10/2018

Thom Dibdin

​

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

"Haunting and powerful"

The Scotsman | 25/10/2018

Joyce McMillan

​

★ ★ ★ ★ 

"full of passion and pity"

Classical Voice America | 06/07/2018

Xenia Hanusiak

​

"a gripping and provocative experience"

Ludwig Van Toronto | 27/06/2017

Michael Vincent

​

THE SCOOP | Rocking Horse Winner Dominates 2017 Dora Awards

Opera News | 28/05/2016

Christopher Hoile

​

"one cannot imagine how the story could have been better told"

Herald Scotland | 07/12/2015

Keith Bruce

​

★ ★ ★ ★

​

“Tilts at contemporary Scottish opera are not exactly uncommon, but this NOISE company commission from a composing team of Chris Stout and Gareth Williams with a libretto by Sian Evans sets and meets its own high standards.”

​

“Stout and Williams have combined their talents in a style that sets a benchmark for traditional and classical collaboration.”

Bachtrack | 05/12/2015

David Smythe

​

★ ★ ★ ★

​

“There is a strange magic to Hirda, a beguiling adventure across classical and folk boundaries. The haunting blend of the voices and the music is still ringing in my head.”​

The Guardian | 29/11/2015

Kate Molleson

★ ★ ★ ★​

​

“Glasgow company NOISE aim to create nimble opera for new audiences. Hirda was as accessible as it was intended to be.”​

The Shetland Times | 27/11/2015

Alex Garrick-Wright

​

"Hirda is a warm, affectionate and delightful ode to Shetland that enraptured the audience, nearly brought the house down from the immense and sustained applause, and deserves a place in the cultural pantheon of the isles.”

The Scotsman | 05/12/2015

David Kettle

​

★ ★ ★ ★

​

“this brand new opera feels like it’s got true Shetland blood pulsing fiercely through its veins”

“soaring, heartstring-pulling music, enormously powerful in conveying the opera’s intense emotions.”

Opera Magazine | 2015

Andrew Clark

​

“unites Scottish folk music and Shetland dialect with the classical forces of chamber opera, making for a potent brew.”

“Hirda deserves to go places.”

A compilation of reviews and quotes up to 2014.