John Rigby

Carmen Jones / Royal Festival Hall
“John Rigby conducted with panache.”
Bloomberg

“You do need a top class orchestra, and with the London Philharmonic alternating with the Philharmonia, and sounding buoyant under John Rigby, that base is well covered.”
The Guardian

“The chorus is strong: the Philharmonia, which alternates with the London Philharmonic for the duration of the run, is superb under John Rigby’s brisk beat.”
The Independent

“Under John Rigby as conductor, the London Philharmonic, which will alternate with the Philharmonia, is wonderfully fleet.”
The Observer

Die Fledermaus / Opera Holland Park
“John Rigby’s superb conducting, which is both rigorously accurate and full of Viennese fizz…”
BLOUIN ARTINFO

“Die Fledermaus doesn’t need the greatest singers in the world, the greatest instrumentalists in the world or the most lavish of sets. What it does need, in keeping with the champagne theme that runs through the operetta, is fizz and sparkle. And in the overture at Opera Holland Park, that’s exactly what John Rigby and the City of London Sinfonia gave us, gambolling through the cascade of tunes with energy and definition. Rigby is interesting to watch: strict time from the baton; encouragement and verve from a wide range of facial expressions.”
Bachtrack

“From the Overture onwards it was clear how well-suited John Rigby’s conducting was for this quintessentially Viennese score, complemented by some idiomatic and lilting playing from the City of London Sinfonia.”
Classical Source

“…exceptionally well conducted by John Rigby.”
Daily Mail

“In the pit, John Rigby gets silky-smooth string tone and plenty of woodwind brio from the City of London Sinfonia.”
The Guardian

“John Rigby conducts superbly…”
Music OMH

“Rigby’s stylish conducting…”
Opera

“The evening is a delight. John Rigby conducts the City of London Sinfonia in an energetic and stylish account of the score, which they play beautifully. The strings soar with verve, the comedy deftly painted and Prince Orlofsky’s party flourishing with élan. It all resounds with an impressively light, Viennese elegance, perfect complement to Adam Scown’s impressive choreography and the adroit comic timing of a talented cast.”
Opera Britannia

“Guiding the show, conductor John Rigby exhibited a no-nonsense approach borne of his experience in musical theatre, and the shirt-sleeved City of London Sinfonia served him well…this was a wise conducting appointment for the score danced to a tight beat, while the woodwind players were allowed some slack for their expressive rubatos. The overture took off like a shot and the momentum did not flag.”
Opera Today

“Things got off to a superb start with John Rigby’s account of the overture. Rigby is a conductor whose credits include substantial experience in West End musical theatre, he encouraged the orchestra to perform with a sense of crisp rhythmic discipline which formed a vivid underpinning of Strauss’s lovely melodies. Whilst these were given with the requisite flexibility, I enjoyed the way Rigby brought out the underlying structure. This crisply stylish and engaging performance set just the right tone for the whole operetta.”
Planet Hugill

“John Rigby brings not only energy but genuine Viennese lilt to Strauss’s masterly score.”
The Stage

“John Rigby, experienced in the West End, leads the City of London Sinfonia in a relaxed yet effervescent account of the score”
The Telegraph

“Led by John Rigby, the City of London Sinfonia whisks the waltzes into shape.”
The Times

“John Rigby conducts the fizzing City of London Sinfonia with pizzazz.”
What’s On Stage

Classical Spectacular / Hallé Orchestra
“During a faultless first session, conductor John Rigby leads us through interpretations of Wagner, Bizet and Elgar with energy and verve; stopping to offer crowd anecdotes before leading the excellent Hallé orchestra and Leeds Festival Chorus group.”
City Life

“Conductor John Rigby engaged with his audience and led the Halle Orchestra beautifully.”
Preston Citizen

Classical Spectacular / Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
“He had the measure of what the audience wanted, and supplied it in full, smoothing the path when needed but often letting the music speak for itself…”
Liverpool Daily Post

Viennese Whirl / Opera North
“Conductor John Rigby set perfectly-judged and relaxed tempos throughout, and did everything with elegance and flow.”
Huddersfield Daily Examiner

“Rigby captured the pulse of the music with brisk tempi but he allowed space for some eloquent string and woodwind phrasing of the big Waltz theme.”
Ilkley Gazette