“A converted New England Town Hall was convincingly converted into an appropriate facility for the Opera Company of Middlebury to manifest itself for its ongoing twentieth anniversary. Beethoven’s Fidelio (seen June 2 and 10, 2023) was the anniversary season’s ongoing solid anchor. The opera demands theatricality, vocally demanding voices, and a good pit orchestra to be sculpturally solidified. It worked, thanks to the evocative staging by artistic director, Douglas Anderson.”

“The pandemic was the mother of innovation. And OCM created the best of all possible worlds (wink, wink) with this glittering gem. Most times, the camera work rivals that of big houses, and then some. When was the last time you’ve seen a camera-fitted drone flying around the Met’s pit and stage? I’ll guess never but based on how OCM incorporated spectacular drone footage from inside the theater, New York’s behemoth has some catching up to do.”

“THE PERFECT VERSION of Leonard Bernstein’s Candide may be as elusive as the paradise of El Dorado, but Opera Company of Middlebury’s filmed production makes a strong case for fully staging the 1993 Scottish Opera concert version.”

“At a recent live radio preview of the Opera Company of Middlebury's upcoming production, held at the Vermont Public Radio performance studio, soprano Lindsay Ohse and tenor John Riesen sang an impassioned duet from Jules Massenet's Cendrillon (Cinderella). The two not only looked their parts as Cendrillon and Le Prince Charmant, they are also serious singers. Ohse will make her Metropolitan Opera debut next season, and Riesen has sung in productions all over the country.”

“Why is it called “grand opera”? Opera Company of Middlebury mastered the genre in last week’s production of Tchaikovsky’s Maid of Orleans, with spectacle, soaring melodies and powerhouse voices…Doug Anderson and the OCM team have brought together a cast of singing actors, brilliantly costumed by Debbie Anderson, with a 23-piece orchestra conducted by Michael Sakir for their 18th production at the Middlebury Town Hall Theater.”

“The Opera Company of Middlebury, a snappy ensemble, transformed the complex mélange of Offenbach’s 1858 operetta Orphée Aux Enfers into a delightful romp—like a refreshing Beaujolais.”

- Excerpted from September 1, 2022 / Volume 87 / Issue 3

“There isn’t likely a much more powerful and exciting way to experience Beethoven’s one and only opera, Fidelio, fully staged with topnotch singers and orchestra, than in the intimacy of the 230-seat Middlebury Town Hall Theater.”

“The Opera Company of Middlebury has announced that Filippo Ciabatti will be its next Music Director.

The company revealed that it had signed a three-year renewable contract with the conductor to continue its long-standing relationship. Ciabatti held the position of Interim Music Director during the 2023 season.”

"Opera Company of Middlebury has entered the film business—and with a glorious video production putting its own stamp on Leonard Bernstein’s enigmatic masterpiece ‘Candide.’.. In addition to excellent soloists, orchestra, production values, and—of course—unique dramatic staging by Anderson, the production boasts a witty narration by former governor Jim Douglas…Very loosely based on Voltaire’s comic satire of optimism, the innocent Candide goes through a series of unlikely—even insanely so—misadventures in quest of pure love with his beloved Cunegonde....”

“Recently Vermont enjoyed two momentous music events, performances that will reverberate for a long time.

…Opera Company of Middlebury produced one of its few forays into contemporary opera, ‘Glory Denied,’ with undeniably brilliant results, Sept. 27-Oct. 1 at Middlebury Town Hall Theater.”

“Sure-footed director Douglas Anderson is not one to ever miss a cue for making a production, whether full of pathos or hilarity, a home-run.“

“Friday’s opening night of Opera Company of Middlebury’s production of Jacques Offenbach’s “Orphée aux enfers (Orpheus in the Underworld),” to say the least, was spectacular — including an incredible debut! …The voices and singing were excellent throughout. “