MATTHEW ROOKE
F E A T U R E D R E V I E W S
"An exceedingly beautiful disc that I have no hesitation in making my record of the year" - Gramophone
"Combining musicians from classical and traditional backgrounds, the music often had a theatrical flair and alternated between careful scoring for the talented forces that Rooke put together. The diversity of styles and kaleidoscope of sounds cohered surprisingly well to make a satisfying whole." The Scotsman.
The Times: "the most exciting thing.... was watching the cast beaming with pride at the joy of their collective endeavour. Things like that might prove to be the festival’s biggest legacy.”
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The Herald: "Rooke’s clever episodic score used stories of the town’s past and referenced the styles of other opera composers in an hour long life-lesson about how we are all the product of our history, community and environment. The non-professionals were terrific, and some were very young indeed, and huge plaudits go to baritone Andrew McTaggart and mezzo Penelope Cousland for their consummate mastery of very demanding lead roles.”
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MATTHEW
ROOKE