Rusalka

Santa Fe Opera

Sante Fe, NM

“The star of the show was Yankovskaya, who led the orchestra with such a lively vigor and power, clearly showing great affinity and respect to Dvorák’s score and musical idioms. In her hands, the orchestra came alive and the ‘storytelling’ became extremely evocative, loud and clear. In addition, Yankovskaya was also very sensitive to her singers, never drowned them even during the loudest climaxes.”
–Parterre Box

“Conductor Lidiya Yankovskaya captured the score’s jaunty folk-tinged sections along with its sweep and lyricism.”
–The Wall Street Journal

“In the pit, Lidiya Yankovskaya led with authority and enthusiasm. Yankovskaya drew out an idiomatic reading from an accomplished orchestra…and her partnership with the singers was well forged. There is no questioning her ample talent and leadership qualities. She is clearly a major talent whose star will continue to rise.”
–Opera Today

“In the pit, Lidiya Yankovskaya teased out the Romantic elements of Dvorak’s score.”
–The New York Times

“Rusalka was a nearly unqualified success…conducted with both grace and romantic fervor by Lidiya Yankovskaya.”
–San Francisco Classical Voice

“This approach maximizes dramatic and emotional impact. Conductor Lidiya Yankovskaya was very much in sync, leading a propulsive, rhythmically bracing account of the score that still made its points during quieter, reflective moments. She kept the opera musically alive over its three-hour running time, which is no small task…One of the evening’s special pleasures was hearing how varied and beguiling it is, as performed by the opera orchestra.”
–Santa Fe New Mexican

“Cheers to Lidiya Yankovskaya who conducts with accuracy and great aplomb.”
–Berkshire Fine Arts

“Yankovskaya captured all the magic of Dvořák’s score. Under her baton Dvořák’s opera came to life: in the orchestra and the singers they so ably supported.”
–Sharps and Flatirons

“There’s divine music to keep you entertained, as led by the excellent Russian-born American conductor Lidiya Yankovskaya.”
–Ludwig Van Toronto

“Yankovskaya, appearing in the Santa Fe pit for the first time, led the orchestra with a capable hand. Glimmering harp solos, ardent woodwind lines, and imperious brass all lined up in well-coordinated fashion.”
–The Classical Review

“Yankovskaya drove the orchestra with high energy, matching each creative choice on stage—and there were many—note for note.”
–Santa Fe Reporter

“Yankovskaya conducted commandingly.”
–Opera Magazine

“The orchestra played splendidly. Yankovskaya, an alum of the 2015 Dallas Opera Hart Institute for Women Conductors, skillfully coordinated, shaped and balanced the music.”
–The Dallas Morning News

“A grand treat for the ears…with a dazzling conductor in the pit, Lidiya Yankovskaya, providing a sublime sensitivity.”
–Arts SF

“Dvorák’s finale arguably contains some of the most heart-stoppingly beautiful music in the entire operatic repertoire — and conductor Lidiya Yankovskaya elicits both ethereal splendor and devastating drama from the orchestra.”
–Taos News

“The Santa Fe Orchestra brilliantly performed Dvorak’s arrestingly melodic, richly rhythmic orchestration under the masterful baton of Lidiya Yankovskaya. An advocate for Czech and Russian opera, Yankovskaya’s conducting displayed her insights into Dvorak’s complex structure of leitmotivs.”
–Opera Warhorses