Press
PHOTOS BY ROD MILLINGTON
Susannah
Sarasota Opera
“Under conductor Jessé Martins, the Sarasota Opera orchestra provides the musical fabric that sustains the drama. Floyd’s score, with its transparent textures and folk-inspired melodies, is rendered with sensitivity and balance. The orchestra never overwhelms the singers, instead reinforcing the emotional atmosphere of each scene.”
“Floyd’s music, which includes a hoedown fiddle in the square-dance scene, is unabashedly lyrical, often telegraphing the tone of the action too obviously. Conductor Jessé Martins made the most of it, with sustained strings, balanced woodwinds, and clear brasses that let you pick out individual lines.”
La Fille du Regiment
Sarasota Opera
“Conductor Jesse Martins kept the pace up with tempos that might challenge the singers with fast patter, but the orchestra was spot on as usual. Donizetti’s music is melodically beautiful, and he used the orchestra well. An alpine horn solo marked the opening of the first act and the strings played a delightful laendler, an alpine folk dance in three, to open act two.”
The Magic Flute
Sarasota Opera
“For me the outstanding performance of the evening was from Youth Opera Conductor Jesse Martins, in a brilliant debut. For several years now, he has coached the youth opera and conducted its annual productions, but this is his first production with the main company. Never overbalancing the singers, he both led and accompanied them beautifully with a good understanding of Mozart’s style, never missing a cue in a score rife with pitfalls for any conductor. Let’s hope he receives other such opportunities in the future.”
Dido and aeneas
Sarasota Opera
“Jesse Martins conducts the Baroque string ensemble with continuo in the pit. This is not a bombastic score, but the lift and ebullience of Baroque music is exceptionally delivered.”