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Juliana (2018)
- “Acutely observed.. Phibbs and Slade’s smaller-scale treatment zeroes in on each character with laser-like accuracy. The performance is as sharp as the updated libretto. Zoe Drummond is suitably flighty and capricious in the first half as Juliana, but more fragile later. Her love duet with Juan, strongly sung by Felix Kemp, is beautifully achieved and something of that glow remains ‘after the event’ in scene 9, while the lovers plan their escape. Rebecca Afonwy-Jones is convincing as the jilted Kerstin. The Nova Music Opera Ensemble – all eight players – accompany flawlessly, directed by his customary exemplary sensitivity by George Vass. Resonus’ sound is beautifully clear.”
Guy Rikards, Gramaphone (2022)
- ” ..a strong sense of continuity with the past – not least in the markedly post-Britten soundworld and music-dramatic style of composer Joseph Phibbs and librettist Laurie Slade. The score is brilliantly written, with a spaciousness and sure sense of timing that encourages Zoe Drummond (Juliana) and Felix Kemp (Juan) to fully vocally and dramatically inhabit their characters; at the same time allowing the equally excellent Rebecca Afonwy-Jones (Kerstin) to rise above the limitations of her witness role, and Nova Music Opera Ensemble to shine under conductor George Vass.
Steph Power, BBC Music Magazine
- “a ‘naturalistic tragedy’ for our times”
Claire Seymour, Opera Today, January 2022
- ‘Juliana is that rare thing nowadays, a genuinely well-made, effective new opera that achieves exactly what it sets out to do’
- ‘Slade’s libretto is lean and poetic, matched by Phibbs’ intelligent and ear-catching score’
- ‘The emotional arc of the opera’s 13 unbroken scenes was of paramount importance, cogently presented in a polished yet spontaneous-sounding reading. All three principals acquitted themselves with distinction’
Opera Magazine, October 2018