Press
Opera Fuoco, vibrant young artist program with period-instrument ensemble which, under the guidance of David Stern, has been pursuing a thriving trajectory since 2003 ...
Pierre-René Serna - Olyrix
L’amor conjugale, Giovanni Simone Mayr
April 2021 - Recording at the Opéra de Massy
On April 24, at the Massy Opera house, David Stern leaves nothing to chance - he will not stop until he gets what he wants, but does so without stress and without disturbing the good mood. [...] He is indeed passionate about this score and about his extremely capable troupe made up of with remarkable soloists.
[...] Mayr was regrettably eclipsed by Donizetti, and Rossini owes him much, but he had an exceptional talent for unique orchestration. One hears both Mozart in the vocal ensembles and a Beethovinian vigor in the dramatic gesture. Chantal Santon Jeffrey interprets Zeliska with perfect ease and intensity in her vocal passage-work. She seems completely at home in the pre-romantic period. The young Columbian tenor Andres Agudelo should be talked about as should the two remarkable bass-baritones: Adrien Fournaison, equally impressive in height as by the nobility of his voice, and Olivier Gourdy by his brighter timbre. The recording session which ended with the overture, both fun and full of surprises.
Jacques Bonnaure – Opera Magazine
The Marriage of Figaro, Mozart
August 2020 – Festival La Grange aux Pianos, Chassignolles
[…] This troupe of young singers, all performing these roles for the first time, charms with their spirit of camaraderie and their earnest commitment.
Opera Magazine
[...] The performers treat us to perfect intonation, lively theatrical expressions and an intimate connection with the audience. All contribute to the opera's fervent vivacity and its touches of humour.
La Nouvelle République
Serse, Handel
September 2020 – Open dress rehearsal in Levallois prior to Opera Fuoco’s China tour (Beijing, Shenzhen, Nanjing)
Opera Fuoco has once again shown the ambition and extraordinary talent of its young recruits. [...] David Stern's singers were present during every moment of this brilliant performance of Serse destined for a Chinese public - enough to render the French listeners jealous... We can only wish then "bon voyage" and wait for new productions of Opera Fuoco and David Stern, who we know will not hesitate to break the boundaries of traditional repertoire.
Gabriel Slyzite – Crescendo Magazine (Belgique)
The B-minor Mass, J-S Bach
Juin 2019 – BachFest Leipzig
Une Messe en si rayonnante […] réalisée avec éloquence et élégance.
Roland Dippel – Neue Musikzeitung
Die Stumme Serenade, Korngold
May 2019 – Salle Ravel, Levallois - French premiere
[...] The style and harmonies of Hollywood's lyric and symphonic composer are revealed in this refined orchestration for ten musicians, remarkably interpreted by the Opera Fuoco orchestra under the fiery baton of its founder David Stern.
[...] It would be a shame to let this unique gem go unnoticed and for such a remarkable undertaking (in fact the French premiere of a largely ignored work) to be so short-lived.
Frédéric Norac – Musicologie.org
[...] All this for a work warmly received, undoubtedly destined to remain a rarety, but we can only applaud its revival.
Marc Vignal – Musikzen
It's at the Salle Ravel, that Opera Fuoco let us hear for the first time in France Die Stumme Serenade by Korngold, in a well-conceived production full of vivacity. [...] The cast of very young artists was fresh and full of incredible enthusiasm.
Clément Mariage – Toute la culture
Idomeneo, Mozart
October 2018 – Salle Ravel, Levallois
David Stern inspires the singers with all the necessary impulses, through constant attention to breathing and balance. He keeps the tension of the drama, thanks to the vigor and honed palette he unleashes from his chamber-size orchestra...
With vocal revelations of such a high level, one has to say that Opera Fuoco has surpassed its expectations.
Mehdi Mahdavi – Opera Magazine
Der Schauspieldirektor, Mozart/Prima la Musica, Salieri
March 2018 – Salle Ravel, Levallois
David Stern gives his all at the head of the Opera Fuoco orchestra, playing on period instruments and in top form, without neglecting the moment as a lovely showcase for his troupe. Hopefully this delicious and unpretentious production will see more revivals.
Thierry Guyenne – Opera Magazine
A great success, thanks to David Stern and his orchestra as well as sopranos Dania El Zein, Axelle Fanyo and Theodora Raftis, these last two irresistible in the Salieri (for once the winner), and to a radically minimalist staging. Marc Vignal - Musikzen
Marc Vignal – Musikzen
Opera Fuoco, vibrant young artist program with period-instrument ensemble which, under the guidance of David Stern, has been pursuing a thriving trajectory since 2003.
[…] Under David Stern's clear direction, and benifitting from the excellent acoustic of the Salle Ravel, the five musical numbers of Mozart's Singspiel are resplendent, as well as the ensembles and arias alternating with well-driven recitatives, in the style of opera buffa.
Pierre-René Serna – Concertclassic
The Opera Fuoco young artist program has included members such as Lea Desandre and Jennifer Courcier and before them Vannina Santoni, Clementine Margaine and Chantal Santon-Jeffrey. It's therefore with great interest that lovers of the voice come to observe the new generation of singers in this duel of Mozart vs. Salieri.
[...] These new voices deserve to be heard in other repertoire : which is exactly Opera Fuoco's goal !
Damien Dutilleul – Olyrix
Richard Löwenherz (Richardus), Telemann
March 2018, Magdeburg Theater
David Stern did a superb stylistic job with the modern orchestra, to which he knows how to give a palpitating sense of phrasing and spirit of dance, without compromising the roundness and beauty of the sound.
Thierry Guyenne – Opera Magazine
Distant Beloved
September 2017, Beethovenfest Bonn
The Parisian period-Instrument ensemble Opera Fuoco, under its founder and conductor David Stern, engaged the public in a musically riveting rendition of the fate of three ladies (Velleda, Neris and Marguerite) that did not allow for a moment of ennui. The ensemble's name Fuoco/Fire is veritably its credo. The orchestra, with excellent instrumental soloists is as comfortable with the secco attack as it is with a seductive soundscape.
Bonn General-Anzeiger