Press Room
"OPERA SAN JOSE REVIEW: SUPREME VOCALISM, DIRECTION I can’t think of a single commonality between Pagliacci and Poulenc’s La voix humaine, which Opera San Jose presented together - except that the company has done an exceptionally fine job with both pieces. Sunday’s matinee was a display of ardent, stylish vocalism, dramatic cogency and, above all, first-rate musical leadership from conductor Bryan Nies, who led both works with clarity and precision. Each part of the double bill, taken on its own, was a deeply rewarding endeavor." "...both the Poulenc and "Pagliacci" benefited from Nies' responsive conducting - sharp and incisive in the one, expansive and sumptuous in the other. ~ Joshua Kosman, San Francisco Chronicle - November 2011
There are some great pleasures to be had in Festival Opera's production of Frank Loesser's "The Most Happy Fella," mostly in conductor Bryan Nies' handling of the eclectic score. ~ Robert Hurwitt, San Francisco Chronicle - August 2011
"YOUTHFUL CARMEN AGES WELL: FESTIVAL OPERA’S TALENTED CAST DELIVERS ROBUST PERFORMANCE The production, which launched Festival’s summer season, featured an excellent young cast and superb musical direction by conductor Bryan Nies." ~ CONTRA COSTA TIMES - February 2011
Two of the true superstars of this OSJ production are its musical director, Maestro Bryan Nies, and stage director. The well-rehearsed orchestra produced magical sounds to the powerful beat by its conductor. ~ Mort Levine, SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS - February 2011
"OAKLAND SYMPHONY DELIVERS GLOBAL TRIUMPH There were two experts at the Paramount’s podium Friday night. Oakland East Bay’s assistant conductor Bryan Nies took the orchestra through as marvelously evocative a reading of Copland’s Appalachian Spring as I’ve ever been privileged to hear. From the moment it softly opened, a cool clarinet rising out of the mists to float about the low hum of strings, Nies extracted a perfectly calibrated performance of this revered piece of Americana. He was attuned to its many shifts of tempo and mood, guiding it through those broad-shouldered, striding passages crackling with energy and the rollicking, scampering moments of Revivalist fervor right back down to the hair-raising stillness of the close, with its hushed flute and the gentle tink, tink, tink, from the xylophone. It was fabulous." ~ THE OAKLAND TRIBUNE - February 2011
"FESTIVAL OPERA’S TRIUMPHANT TURANDOT These large forces and this extremely complex score can achieve their potential only by keen leadership. Maestro Bryan Nies accomplished this, and more. Here is a true opera conductor who vigorously leads his large orchestra while emphatically supporting his singers throughout Puccini’s intricate passages. His percussion section deserves special mention for its colorful clangor of drums, timpani, gongs, and bells." ~ SAN FRANCISCO CLASSICAL VOICE - February 2011
"CARMEN AT FESTIVAL OPERA The orchestra, ably led by Bryan Nies, never struck a wrong note." ~ SAN FRANCISCO BAY TIMES - February 2011
"LETTER PERFECT: AN IMPASSIONED ONEGIN OPENS OPERA SAN JOSE SEASON ON A HIGH NOTE Tchaikovsky’s music continually heightened the emotion and drama, not least for the sure hand of conductor Bryan Nies, for five years an OSJ assistant, making his company debut now as a podium principal. He had the score and all the primary stage roles down pat, alternately igniting and darkening the orchestra in pace with the stage action." ~ SAN JOSE METRO - February 2011
"SERENE, STRONG SPRING Bryan Nies led the orchestra through a beautifully shaped and heartfelt rendition of Copland’s Appalachian Spring. Nies was especially patient with his tempos and the development of the piece, and the unhurried unfolding spotlighted the composer’s wonderfully clear orchestration and his ability to let new ideas steal their way into the music and unexpectedly take center stage. I admire Nies and the players for bringing forth such a serene and stirring performance." ~ SAN FRANCISCO CLASSICAL VOICE - February 2011
Conductor Bryan Nies led a brash, forward-moving performance. ~ Joshua Kosman, SF GATE - July 2009
