Steuart Bedford

“The baton is in the capable hands of British conductor Steuart Bedford, who drew fine playing from the chamber orchestra and good singing from the chorus... The judicious pacing and sense of refinement that have long served him in the Benjamin Britten operas did so in Mozart as well.” (John von Rhein, Chicago Tribune, September 2012)
 
“[The Turn of The Screw] left my stomach in knots thanks to conductor Steuart Bedford, a longtime Britten specialist who showed that the key to the piece’s viability lies in the orchestra pit.” (David Patrick Stearns, WQXR, New York, February 2013)

"Under Bedford’s baton, the COC orchestra gave an evocative reading of Britten’s atonal and 12 tone music…My only regret with this production is I wished there were a video screen somewhere where you could see the actions in the pit." (La Scena Musicale, October 2010)

"Conductor Steuart Bedford, who helmed the opera’s 1973 premiere, brings out all the shimmering colours and shadows in Britten’s score, which can turn voluptuous or menacing in a heartbeat. The COC orchestra has seldom sounded more alive or spontaneous. " (Now Magazine, October 2010)

"Bedford’s reading of the score extracts the full power of this modern music with gentle contours. He teases out the lyrical, while never letting us forget that there are dark emotional and physical undercurrents from the moment the stage lights go up." (Toronto Star, October 2010)

“Bedford’s conducting was exacting and elucidating… Britten didn’t waste a note, and Bedford let none escape notice.” (Los Angeles Times, April 2009)

“An ideal Peter Grimes.” (San Diego Union-Tribune, April 2009)

“Conducting Britten’s ravishingly beautiful and vibrant score was British conductor Steuart Bedford, a long-time acquaintance of the composer and a leading expert in performance of his works.” (San Diego Community Newspaper Group, April 2009)

“Another coup was securing the authoritative services of Steuart Bedford, a longtime Britten associate who had conducted the world stage premiere… The British maestro secured glowingly atmospheric playing from a fine 15-member instrumental ensemble.” (Chicago Tribune, May 2009)

“The orchestral and vocal delivery, under the astute direction of Conductor Steuart Bedford, was magnificent.” (SteadStyleChicago.com, May 2009)

“A highly successful and passionate performance. Bedford led a lively reading of the score, bringing out nuances of the composer’s orchestration often lost on other conductors.” (ConcertoNet.com, May 2009)