“This was the real McCoy, with very detailed playing from the

Die Walküre / Berwick Festival Opera / Perth Concert Hall / 2015
“This was the real McCoy, with very detailed playing from the Hebrides Ensemble, fleshed out with terrific
playing from the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland Camerata, given the full Wagner surge by conductor
Peter Selwyn.”
(Herald Scotland / Michael Tumelty)
“Under the baton of Peter Selwyn… clarity of texture was paramount in capturing and communicating the
essence of the score”
(The Scotsman / Ken Walton)
The Emperor of Atlantis / English Touring Opera / 2012
“The wit and desperate sadness of it all are beautifully captured by Peter Selwyn's conducting”
(The Guardian / Tim Ashley)
“Conductor Peter Selwyn and his ensemble effortlessly bridge the gulf between Baroque grace and Ullmann’s
blend of cabaret and Berg-influenced modernism”
(The Independent / Michael Church)
“…haunting, atmospheric staging, with the added benefit of the wonderfully accomplished Aurora orchestra
under Peter Selwyn, who conducted a thrilling account of the score…”
(MusicalCriticism)
“Throughout, conductor Peter Selwyn directed his eclectic band of players (reflecting the limited resources
Ullman had at his disposal at Terezin) with consummate skill.”
(MusicOMH)
“Incisively conducted by Peter Selwyn”
(Classicalsource)
“Conducted by Peter Selwyn, the members of Aurora Orchestra convey a genuine feel for the scores - a key
factor in the success of this important production.”
(The Stage)
“The young Aurora Orchestra, conducted by Peter Selwyn, played fluently and with great commitment.”
(Opera Britannia)
“Conducting by Peter Selwyn maintained the tension in this musically intriguing and extremely moving work”
(Mark Ronan Blog)
“Conductor Peter Selwyn and the Aurora Orchestra, were to the point throughout the evening, ensuring that
the diverse variety of styles cohered into a satisfactory whole. The Ullmann was beautifully played…..”
(Planet Hugill / Robert Hugill)
Steven Swales Artist Management
46 Twinwood Road, Clapham, Bedford, MK41 6HL
www.ssartists.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1753 882 378
Email: [email protected]
“the orchestra, expertly directed by Peter Selwyn, was on excellent form”
(Seen & Heard International)
Owen Wingrave / Internationales Kammermusikfestival Nürnberg / 2011
“Das massiv mit Blech und Schlagzeug zupackende Kammerorchester des Festivals sorgt für rhythmisch
vibrierende wie feinnervig farbliche Zeichnung. Brittens Maxime, „vollkommene Klarheit des Ausdrucks“ zu
erreichen, schien dem Produktionsteam und dem souverän lotsenden Peter Selwyn am Pult ein vordringliches
Anliegen zu sein.” - “Peter Selwyn steered the Festival Chamber Orchestra magisterially, evidently mindful of
Britten’s maxim ‘to achieve perfect clarity of expression’.”
(Nürnberger Zeitung)
La rondine / Opera Holland Park / 2011
“Peter Selwyn and the excellent City of London Sinfonia made something meaningful out of gorgeous music
that might in less sensitive hands have swerved into sentimentality.”
(Opera / Amanda Holloway)
“Peter Selwyn really knows how to let this music bloom and breathe”
(The Times 4* / Neil Fisher)
“…music of watercolour delicacy which conductor Peter Selwyn beautifully realizes”
(The Independent 4* / Michael Church)
“In the pit, Peter Selwyn presides over some lovely playing from the City of London Sinfonia.”
(Independent on Sunday / Anna Picard)
“Peter Selwyn's unhurried conducting allows the piece to make its case on its own terms”
(The Guardian / Martin Kettle)
“Peter Selwyn’s orchestra is on superb form, producing a subtle and blended sonority”
(The Stage)
“Conductor Peter Selwyn provided an ideal sense of ebb and flow in the pit”
(Metro Newspaper)
“Issues with the OHP pit (long and thin) have been a repeated refrain of mine, and here with woodwind placed
centrally things finally gelled, with Peter Selwyn’s orchestra producing the most blended sound I’ve heard in
this space. A strong cast of singers allowed the players the freedom to really release, and the result was as
mature and balanced as a tent acoustic can ever hope to produce… Selwyn’s account of Puccini’s score... could
romance the most cynical of souls”
(The Arts Desk)
“Conductor Peter Selwyn and the City of London Sinfonia certainly make a passionate case for it in their fine
account of the score”
(WhatsonStage)
“Puccini’s web of seductive melody and dance was lovingly conducted by Peter Selwyn”
(Classicalsource)
“The orchestra under Peter Selwyn brings out the opulence of the score”
(Daily Express)
Steven Swales Artist Management
46 Twinwood Road, Clapham, Bedford, MK41 6HL
www.ssartists.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1753 882 378
Email: [email protected]
“excellent playing by the orchestra under Peter Selwyn - the best I have heard the orchestra in recent memory…
the orchestra (was) on exemplary form. Mr. Selwyn evoked the full translucence of the score, soft restraint
giving way to the playful caprice with which so much of the score is imbued.”
(Opera Britannia)
“In the pit, Peter Selwyn and the City of London Sinfonia succeeded in capturing the delicate colours of the
score — Viennese melodic sentiment couched in a rich, Italianate and recognisably Puccinian idiom. …. it was
a pleasure to listen to, always well-balanced.”
(Opera Today / Ruth Elleson)
“excellent conducting from Peter Selwyn”
(MusicOMH)
Carmen / Welsh National Opera / 2010
“the driving pace set by conductor Peter Selwyn, and the crisp playing of the fine orchestra...”
(Opera Website)
Mahler Symphony No.4 / Internationales Kammermusikfestival Nürnberg / Wigmore Hall / 2009
“Peter Selwyn conducted a keenly felt performance with lucid, understated authority”
(The Times 4* / Neil Fisher)
“The slow movement, in particular, was a lesson in how to hold an audience spellbound as the music slowly
unfolded in the quietest of voices until the emotional outburst towards the end cried out to us in full throated
anguish. It was fascinating to hear this group – really an ensemble of soloists – relishing the challenges of
making a full orchestral score work in miniature under the quite inspired guidance of Peter Selwyn”
(Musical Pointers)
“Last Thursday, at the Wigmore Hall, players from the Nuremberg International Chamber Music Festival,
conducted by Peter Selwyn, gave a splendid performance, full of the wonder and power necessary to bring this
work to life”
(Seen & Heard Internationl)
Hänsel und Gretel / Opera Holland Park / 2009
“…well sung and played under Peter Selwyn’s baton with relish of the score’s graceful and rumbustious dancing
quality.”
(The Independent - Edward Seckerson)
“It was saved though, by Peter Selwyn’s reduced orchestra, which really shines in the interludes. The children’s
goodnight hymn was… beautifully handled”
(London Evening Standard)
“Peter Selwyn… presented a lyrical, detailed and almost Goodall-type interpretation. I have never heard Hänsel
and Gretel’s prayer so softly and expansively sung as on this occasion; it was heartbreakingly beautiful. Praise
is due to the singers but the ultimate credit belongs to the conductor.”
(MusicalCriticism)
“Happily, the City of London Sinfonia, under the baton of Peter Selwyn, was as strong as ever. Smooth and
flowing in the Overture, maintaining a gripping tempo when it was needed, and also indulging effectively in the
more languid passages, it contributed to the fact that in this production the playing, the singing and the acting
were all generally good.”
(MusicOMH)
Steven Swales Artist Management
46 Twinwood Road, Clapham, Bedford, MK41 6HL
www.ssartists.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1753 882 378
Email: [email protected]
“Peter Selwyn clearly loves this score: he conducts with exemplary tempi and phrasing, and his concern for
good balance ensures that none of the music’s many surges overwhelm the singers, despite the absence of a
proper pit to tame Humperdinck’s dynamic extremes.”
(Whatsonstage.com)
“Under Peter Selwyn, the City of London Sinfonia deliver a cosy reading of the score, with some lovely details….”
(Independent on Sunday / Anna Picard)
Roméo et Juliette / Opera North / 2008
“On the rostrum Peter Selwyn supported his singers in this bel canto styled work appropriately, allowing time
for phrasing while keeping the drama moving.”
(Seen & Heard International)
Jenůfa / English Touring Opera / 2006
“Peter Selwyn fluently conducts Jancek´s wonderfully descriptive score.”
(Manchester Evening News)
Hear our Voice / Hackney Music Development Trust / 2006
“Peter Selwyn´s clearly inspiring conducting…”
(The Guardian)
The Turn of the Screw / Internationales Kammermusikfestival Nürnberg / 2004
“Auch der musikalische Leiter Peter Selwyn erzielte mit seinen 13 Instrumentalisten eine große
Ausdrucksvielfalt, die von angstvollem Flirren hoher Bläser und dumpfem Pauken- bzw. Kontrabass-Grollen bis
zu weit ausgespannten impressionistischen Klangflächen reichte. Die Begleitung der Sänger war - auch während
Wanderungen durch den Kirchenraum - trotz der heiklen Akkustik stets sehr gut koordiniert und dynamisch
ausbalanciert.”
(Nürnberger Nachrichten)
The Rape of Lucretia / Internationales Kammermusikfestival Nürnberg / 2003
“Die zwölf Musiker, geführt von Peter Selwyn am Pult und Klavier, setzten die oft lautmalerische Partitur
makellos und mit viel Farbe um.”
(Nürnberger Zeitung)
Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor / Staatstheater Nürnberg / 2003
“Die Ouvertüre… die Peter Selwyn in Samthandschuhen einleitet und später mit rückartig auftrumpfendem
Temperament zur Attacke treibt…”
(Nürnberger Abendzeitung)
“Im Orchestergraben gelang Peter Selwyn vor allem im Kontrast der samtenen Streicherpiani und der betont
schwerfälligen Fallstaffpassagen ein lebendiger Beitrag zum Bühnengeschehen.”
(opernnetz.de)
Steven Swales Artist Management
46 Twinwood Road, Clapham, Bedford, MK41 6HL
www.ssartists.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1753 882 378
Email: [email protected]
Cosí fan tutte / Staatstheater Nürnberg / 2003
“Eine gute Leistung erbrachte Peter Selwyn an der Spitze der Nürnberger Philharmoniker. Er dirigierte Mozarts
Musik spritzig – flüssig und setzte gute Akzente. Das gut disponierte Orchester wußte er zu routiniertem und
intensivem Spiel zu animieren. Den Sängern war er ein umsichtiger Begleiter.”
(Orpheus Oper Zeitschrift)
Peter Grimes / Staatstheater Nürnberg / 2003
“Vor allem in den Sturmmusiken war die Leitung von Peter Selwyn von großer Dramatik und imposanter
Steigerung geprägt. Aber auch lyrische, weiche und empfindsame Klangfarben kamen nicht zu kurz. Die
gutdisponierten Nürnberger Philharmoniker waren bei ihm zuverlässige Partner.”
(Orpheus Oper Zeitschrift)
“Peter Selwyn, für die musikalische Leitung verantwortlich, setzte auf brodelnde Dynamik und expressive
Tempi, um Brittens "merkwürdige Geschichte" fesselnd nachzuerzählen. Mit spontanem Sympathiebeifall und
kräftigen Bravos honorierte das Publikum seine Interpretation.”
(Nürnberger Abendzeitung)
“Die musikalische Ausstrahlung...verdankte man dem engagierten Dirigenten Peter Selwyn. Er setzte mit
seinen Ensemble von 13 Solisten die Akzente der musikdramaturgisch raffiniert gebauten Turn of the Screw in
Brittens Partitur um. Die... mit kristallener Klarheit vermittelte Musik...”
(Der neue Tag)
“Peter Selwyn als Dirigent entlockte der Partitur ihre sinnlichsten, klangschönsten Seiten”
(Nürnberger Zeitung)
Le nozze di Figaro / Staatstheater Nürnberg / 2000
“Der junge Dirigent Peter Selwyn und das motivierte Orchester haben hörbar Harnoncourt in ihren
Erfahrungsschatz aufgenommen. Zumerken ist das an der geschärften Spielweise, härteren Phrasierungen,
Temporüchungen. Der Eindruck war jedenfalls sehr gut.”
(Der neue Merker)
Steven Swales Artist Management
46 Twinwood Road, Clapham, Bedford, MK41 6HL
www.ssartists.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1753 882 378
Email: [email protected]