Gianni Schicchi & Buoso's Ghost 2008

'Lake George Opera at Saratoga shines in new English Production. The Lake George Opera has been turning audiences to newish works... sung in English, and sometimes it's the best stuff of the season. This year offered a recent American one-act, Michael Ching's Buoso's Ghost as a sequel to a Puccini comedy, Gianni Schicchi. Baritone Robert Orth was terrific as Schicchi. Mature and commanding in both voice and presence. Also a vocal standout was Colin Ainsworth as an earnest Rinuccio. As Lauretta, soprano Khori Dastoor, delivered the aria (O Mio Babbino Caro) with a deft mix of pleading tenderness and gentle insistence. At the podium, the composer gave both operas some vigor and the LGO orchestra sounded pure and strong.'

- Joseph Dalton for The Times Union

'Lake George Opera at Saratoga double bill seamless. Lake George Opera gave a frothy production of the rare comic double bill of Puccini's Gianni Schicchi and its sequel, Michael Ching's Buoso's Ghost. The excellent company was the same for both and starred the versatile baritone Robert Orth. Orth and the tableau of characters were fabulous together. As directed by Nelson Sheeley, they interacted convincingly as an ensemble by working off each other's comic flair. By making the action plausible, it made the two operas all the more pleasurable to hear, since everyone's voice was so strong. As the love interests, tenor Colin Ainsworth and soprano Khori Dastoor, were well matched; their notes slipped by like silk. Ching conducted the excellent orchestra with a bouncy enthusiasm.'