TESTIMONIALS

  • "... there were star performances in the make-shift pit too, from ... Toby Hession at the piano."

    The Guardian on Albert Herring (Scottish Opera / The Lammermuir Festival)

  • "... pianist Toby Hession delivering some particularly rich, fluid contributions to recitatives."

    The Stage on Albert Herring (Scottish Opera / The Lammermuir Festival)

  • "Toby Hession conducts the eight-strong ensemble [sic] with precision ... keeping things lively and adding his own skills at the fortepiano."

    The Arts Desk on La Canterina (Buxton International Festival)

  • "... The Buxton Chamber Collective [is] conducted by Toby Hession from Scottish Opera – a real musician of great skill and sure touch at the fortepiano."

    Theatre Reviews North on La Canterina (Buxton International Festival)

  • “The Buxton Chamber Collective is led by Toby Hession from the keyboard of a fortepiano; their music-making is delectable.”

    The Stage on La Canterina (Buxton International Festival)

  • "... beautifully sung under the musical direction of Toby Hession."

    The Article on La Canterina (Buxton International Festival)

  • "... the Buxton Chamber Collective – conducted from the harpsichord [sic] by Toby Hession, plays elegantly, even in the hammier parts.

    The Opera Critic on La Canterina (Buxton International Festival)

  • "The on-stage eight-piece ensemble [sic] is directed from the fortepiano by Toby Hession ... backing the singers to the hilt."

    Classical Music Daily on La Canterina (Buxton International Festival)

  • “The orchestra under conductor Toby Hession was super-responsive and the music so lush … it all underlined and powered what was playing out on the stage.”

    The Inverness Courier on Carmen (Scottish Opera)

  • " ... a truly excellent piece of writing and in performance was a triumph of the highest standards of music theatre direction, comedic timing and high farce. Absolutely superb."

    Edinburgh Music Review on In Flagrante (Scottish Opera Highlights 2023)

  • "...it is the first time the programme’s world premiere can be identified as the funniest part of what is a consistently funny show. That is as much a tribute to Hession’s skilful score as it is to the cast’s delivery of the splendid text."

    Herald Scotland on In Flagrante (Scottish Opera Highlights 2023)

  • ... it is all too recognisably of the moment, brilliantly exposed in sparkling text, set with great skill by the composer and performed with gusto by the cast.

    Vox Carnyx on In Flagrante (Scottish Opera Highlights 2023)

  • "Who knows, maybe operatic sketch comedy is the next big thing?"

    The Quintessential Review on In Flagrante (Scottish Opera Highlights 2023)

  • “Hession never got in the way of the music’s natural flow … [his] unfussy direction harnessed a confident rhythmic assuredness from the outset.”

    Vox Carnyx

  • “Toby Hession as conductor was powerful and poetic, ranging through the movements effortlessly.”

    Varsity