Mr. Fagen earned enthusiastic reviews for his work in the Atlanta Opera conducting Bizet’s Carmen last week. Daniel Vasquez, from www.outpost.com, wrote:
[….] the Atlanta Opera opened its 2012-2013 season with Bizet’s Carmen to an enthusiastic reception on Saturday, November 10. The evening was led by Carl and Sally Gable Music Director Arthur Fagen, whose polished baton emphasized the vitality and sparkling qualities of this familiar score. A clever leader, he understood the proclivities of his singers, and allowed them to luxuriate their lines when inspired without ever becoming a detriment to the dramatic gestures dictated by the score. He was also a match to the complexity of the piece, and successfully anchored the company in the most intricate sections…
Pia Ugarte from Examiner.com wrote:
Bizet’s ‘Carmen’ is one of the most well-known and beloved operas of the standard repertoire … The company remained true to the name it has made for itself for offering high quality productions to its patrons. It is always music to the ears, literally, to hear a well-conducted orchestra. This was evident under the baton of Arthur Fagen, who had seamless command of the musicians in the pit, an orchestra that consciously supported the singers with beauty rather than drowning them in sound.
and Stephanie Adrian from www.artsatl.com wrote:
The Atlanta Opera may be lacking a general director these days, but it seems to be in good stead with its relatively new musical director, Arthur Fagen, who conducted the opening-night performance. Opera is a profoundly complicated machine that depends upon a balance of forces, and Fagen’s orchestra hummed along pleasingly, supportive of singers but revving up at appropriate moments to bolster the drama.
