Edinburgh International Festival

Sir Andrew Davis

Scottish Chamber Orchestra

"American soprano Emily Birsan as Anne, dressed in a black tulle skirt with a black and cream brocade bodice, radiated warmth with her lovely lyrical voice, particularly so in her prayerful “I go to him”.

Her final parting from the babbling Tom was desperately poignant as her father, a strong voiced supportive Peter Rose, led her slowly away."

- Bachtrack.com, Aug 2015

"Emily Birsan, the newest name to British audiences (but known to Andrew Davis through Chicago Lyric Opera and ), sounded fantastic as Anne. There is brightness and dazzling purity there, exemplified in a fantastic climactic aria at the end of Act 1, but there is also intelligence in her scene with Baba and a beautiful, heartfelt lullaby with Tom." 

- Seen and Heard International

"The Rake’s Progress review – a rare, tender Stravinsky staging. This was a concert staging – no sets, no elaborate costumes, orchestra on stage, not in a pit – but the excellent soloists turned a stark strip of stage into brothels and Bedlam, using only their charisma. Much can be done with little if the cast is this good and this up for it.
...American soprano Emily Birsan was an ardent, luminous Anne Trulove."

- The Guardian, Aug 2015