Claire Gibault - conductor
“Until November 2 at Washington Opera I had never head a female conductor whose work struck me as on the same plane as the best of the men. Now I have. Her name is Claire Gibault and the work was Idomeneo. What she gasped from the first downbeat was the exuberance of this piece, the first great commission for a 24-year-old Mozart still known better as a performer than as a compoers. Levine’s Idomeneo is lovelier; Gibault’s has a propulsion that puts an extra dimension on the work.”
Opera – February 2003
“Claire Gibault, in her house debut, proved an altogether admirable conductor, summoning disciplined yet spacious playing from the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, permitting the singers their moments of glory, yet keeping the action moving throughout. Her interpretation had both grace and sinew – essentials for proper Mozart.” The Washtington Post – November 2002
“…the company’s orchestra, under the measured baton of Claire Gibault, played with clarity and a surprisingly romantic passion. It was a performance of Mozart the likes of which we are used to receiving only from the companies respected music director, Heinz Fricke.” Arts and Entertainment – November 2002
“Throughout Saturday’s opening night at the Kennedy Center, conductor Claire Gibault provided a combination of momentum and elebance that helped to reveal exquisite detail after exquisite detail in the orchestration, while giving admirable support and guidance to the singers.” Washington Sun – November 2002