“It would be difficult to imagine a performance of greater musical dedication and refinement than that presented by the Frost faculty forces….Alan Johnson, director of Frost Opera Theater conducted a top-notch ensemble in Dellaira’s elegantly sculpted score.”

            Frost Opera Theater brings riveting life to “Death of Webern”

            Lawrence Budmen, South Florida Classical Review - 2015

 

 

“Members of the Frost Symphony Otchestra gave outstanding readings of Puccini’s beautiful scores.  Alan Johnson’s pacing was near-perfect.  He highlighted the witty wind writing in Gianni Schicchi and drew shimmering string sonorities in Suor Angelica’s moments of darkness and hope.”

            Frost Opera Theater serves up outstanding performances in Puccini double bill

            By Lawrence Budman, SFCR - 2015

 

 

“Michael Daugherty’s Jackie O is a postmodern synthesis of American popular culture and avant-garde modernisim.  The University of Miami Frost Opera Theater’s production of Daugherty’s opera is brilliantly realized and arrestingly staged…Johnson’s leadership of Daugherty’s complex brew is masterful, the Frost Symphony Orchestra members’ playing both subtle and jolting in leaping rhythms and harmonics.…This uniquely entertaining and emotionally powerful work offers a compelling evening of music theater and a high water mark for Frost Opera Theater and its director Alan Johnson.”

            Frost Opera Theater goes retro with a brilliant and audacious “Jackie O”

            By Lawrence Budmen, SFCR - 2014

 

 

“The Frost vocal program continues to produce some gifted young singing actors.  Throughout the fact-paced evening, the singing was consistently strong, obviously the work of excellent coaching and rehearsal….Frost Opera director Aland Johnson conducted with a firm hand and strong affinity for Britten’s distinctive musical voice.  Once again Johnson has produced a compelling evening of music drama.”

            Frost Opera Theater offers an array of Britten’s stage works

            By Lawrence Budmen, SFCR - 2013

 

 

“The University of Miami’s Frost Opera Theater has presented an impressive series of productions of Mozart operas and twentieth century works in recent seasons.  Mozart’s The Magic Flute may be the most ambitious score FOT director Alan Johnson has yet attempted.  The opening night performance on Thursday was a triumph for the vocal program’s gifted students.…Members of the Frost Symphony Orchestra sounded wonderfully smooth and transparent under Johnson’s astute baton, particularly the splendid flute solos.  Johnson’s unflagging direction did full justice to both the verve and nobility of Mozart’s operatic swan song.”

            Frost Opera Theater singers bring youthful charm to “Magic Flute”\

            By Lawrence Budmen, SFCR - 2013

 

 

 Feature Article: Frost Spotlight - Opera 2.0  Miami Magazine - 2012

 

 

“Johnson brought a sure sense of pulse and theatrical savvy to the myriad musical styles, providing momentum from the podium.”

            Frost Opera Theater presents an evening of supernatural opera scenes

            By Lawrence Budmen, SFCR - 2012

 

 

“Alan Johnson’s lithe conducting did not neglect the scores subtle emotional undertones and his careful detailing of dynamics and balances did justice to Mozart’s remarkable instrumental writing.”

            Frost Opera Theater serves up a delightful “Figaro”

            By Lawrence Budmen, SFCR - 2012

 

 

“That the stately Baroque melodies of Monteverdi, jazzy tunes of Darius Milhaud and minimalism of Philip Glass managed to combine into a cogent theatrical experience is a tribute to Alan Johnson and Dean Southern, Frost Opera Theater’s ever-creative producers….Alan Johnson is a former associate of Glass and understands his musical patterns like few others.  In many ways the hero of the evening, Johnson conducted the wildly diverse scores idiomatically and with theatrical flair, even playing keyboard in some of the Monteverdi and Gluck scores.”

            Frost Opera Theater explores the Orpheus myth in a wide array of music

            By Lawrence Budmen - 2011

 

 

“Alan Johnson conducted a skillful reduction of the score for twelve insturments with authority and a fine sense of dynamic contrasts.  With a versatile cast  and outstanding musical and theatrical direction, this Albert Herring  is a high water mark for the Frost Opera Theater.”

            Frost Opera Theater triumphs in delightful “Albert Herring”

            By Lawrence Budmen, SFCR - 2011

 

 

“Alan Johnson, artistic director of the Frost Opera Theater, conducted the orchestra in a sensitive, technically competent and clearly well- rehearsed performance, providing solid support to the singers.”

            Frost Opera Theater provides enthusiastic advocacy for two absorbing works

(Strawberry Fields by Michael Torke, Ballymore, Part 1: Winners by Richard Wargo

            By David Fleshler, SFCR - 2010

 

 

“One of the best-kept secrets on the local music scene is the outstanding work Alan Johnson has brought to the Frost Opera Theater since his arrival at the University of Miami in 2006….The magical performance of Ravel’s L’Enfant et les Sortilges presented Wednesday night, was one of the Frost Opera Theater’s finest evenings yet…

 Alan Johnson directed a well paced and evocative reading – all the more impressive for the musicians having to be placed offstage.”

            A magical night of Ravel from the Frost Opera Theater

            By Lawrence Johnson, SFCR - 2008

 

 

“On Thursday night the company offered the premiere of Entanglments, a cutting-edge work by Frost School of Music faculty member Charles Norman Mason….Frost Opera Theater director Alan Johnson seemed to be everywhere, playing agile keyboard parts and conducting wind and synthesizer ensembles with energy and precision.”

            Despite inspired moments, social media opera proves a mixed mélange

            By Lawrence Budmen, SFCR - 2013

 

 

“The richness and variety of Glass’ achievement in the genre was evident in an enterprising concert presented by the Frost Opera Theater Wednesday night.  The event was the first of two evenings devoted to Glass’ music, and the composer was on hand as aguest of the Stamps Family Charitable Foundation Distinguished Visitors Series….As a conductor, Alan Johnson skillfully kept the dizzying welter of vocal and instrumental lines transparent and balanced in Akhnaten….  Throughout the evening as conductor or lead pianist, Johnson - - director of Frost Opera Theater and a longtime Glass collaborator  - - led the singers and instrumentalists with a sure feel for the music’s rhythmic impetus and harmonic shifts.”

            Raising the Glass ceiling

            Lawrence Johnson, The Miami Herald, 2008