Ken Herman, San Diego Story, 6th June 2016
“[Regarding Mozart’s Gallimathias musicum] Francis’ violins sported a mellifluous shimmer, and the entire orchestra’s tight rhythmic ensemble maintained its fresh, buoyant air from start to finish…
Francis gave [Mozart’s Bastien und Bastienne] score a spirited interpretation, full of youthful optimism…
In its opening night offering, the Mainly Mozart Festival orchestra displayed the polish and clean ensemble we have come to expect from this elite assembly. Now in his second season as Music Director, Francis is making the orchestra his own. The players exhibit a freer, more relaxed sound, and the strings are noticably sweeter. I eagerly wait to see how this approach translates into other orchestral styles.”
