Emmanuel Villaume

There was another star of the evening: conductor Emmanuel Villaume, who coaxed consistently expressive, multi-hued, luminous playing for Rimsky’s scintillating score. He clearly treasures its shimmering beauties and gave the musicians time to indulge in the soloistic writing, but judiciously, and in ways that enhanced the theatricality onstage.

This shimmering sound world was conducted by the talented Emmanuel Villaume with expansive tempos that never slowed down the action.

Conductor Emmanuel Villaume led an unrushed, luxurious performance by the excellent SFO orchestra and cast. I cannot imagine a better realized, musically beautiful, or satisfying performance than I heard.

Emmanuel Villaume led the orchestra in a precise performance. The opening trumpet solo fanfare was clear and grand, the pizzicato strings were playful, and the harp and celesta shimmered. Rimsky Korsakov’s score often gives individual instruments exposed melodies (usually whimsical); all were well delivered.

Rimsky-Korsakov was one of music’s supreme orchestrators, and throughout the evening conductor Emmanuel Villaume elicited lovely playing in the pit.

French conductor Emmanuel Villaume led the Santa Fe Opera Orchestra in a majestically-contoured, sensitive performance of Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Orientalist” score.

"Emmanuel Villaume and his orchestra are excellent, the incidental singers classy..."

Emmanuel Villaume’s fervent conducting added the emotional punch...