“Universally splendid… orchestra under the assured baton of Kristin Roach”

“A universally splendid ensemble, perfectly negotiating the intricate gymnastics of Rossini’s score, aided and abetted by the orchestra under the assured baton of Kristin Roach.”

— Barry Creyton

"Pure Rossini melodic magic"

“The music, especially the overture, was pure Rossini melodic magic, as conducted by Kristin Roach.”

— David Hendricks

"The result...was pure magic in the accompaniment"

“A modification by conductor Kristin Roach helped a lot: Passages for pan flutes in the full orchestral score, but not included in the reduction, were restored and played by the pianists on synthesizers. The result, in combination with the harp, was magical in the accompaniment to Giovanni’s Act I aria apostrophizing Beatriz.”

— Mike Greenberg

"Packed a punch...delivered with acute feeling"

“‘As One’ was performed only by two singers and a string quartet, but it packed a punch with its spiraling story of a character transitioning from one gender to another, eventually emerging as a single character reaching a state of self-acceptance.”

— David Hendricks

"Excellent orchestra nicely conducted by Kristin Roach"

“The bandoneon master David Alsina brought authentic style to the excellent orchestra (nicely conducted by Kristin Roach), and he was a responsive partner to the singers.”

— Mike Greenberg

"Absorbing production...sold-out audience"

“Alamo City Opera on Saturday night staged an absorbing production of “María” for a sold-out audience...Kristin Roach ably conducted the orchestra.”

— David Hendricks

"Orchestra played in perfect balance with the singers"

“In the midst of its sixth season, Alamo City Opera brought out one of Broadway’s treasures Saturday night, a tender, heartwarming production of Stephen Sondheim’s ‘A Little Night Music.’ The show represented a widening of ambition for the chamber opera company, requiring 16 singers/characters and 13 musicians, who performed in the pit of the Buena Vista Theatre at the University of Texas at San Antonio’s downtown campus... The orchestra, led by Kristin Roach, played in perfect balance with the singers in the UTSA hall.”

— David Hendricks

"Robust performance...expansive, supple phrasing"

“Ms. Roach was the rudder of the entire concert. She proved especially sympathetic to the Brahms Trio, in a big, robust performance that was borne on the wings of her expansive, supple phrasing. ”

— Mike Greenberg

"Led an excellent 26-piece orchestra"

“Confidently riding musical herd on all this foolishness was Kristin Roach, who led an excellent 26-piece orchestra (many wearing Star Trek uniforms) that did ample justice to Mozart’s glistening score but was willing to provide off-kilter fanfares or pa-dum-pum drum responses...””

— Diane Windeler

"Making pre-opera discussions a part of every performance"

The company also is making pre-opera discussions a part of every performance rather than an occasional extra. The talks will be a combination of preview and informal discussion of what goes on behind the scenes, said Kristen Roach, the company’s music director, who will lead the talks. Roach is excited by what’s coming next season. ‘I think we’ve got our legs in the ground now, and we’re ready for the next phase in our development,’ she said.