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Reviews

A Greek miracle at the Orchestre Symphonique de Québec

“From Debussy's ‘Prelude, L’Apres-Midi d’un Faun, the conductor stood out with a slow but precise, economical gesture, allowing the various strands of the orchestra to unfold quietly... Grammenos was impeccable here, as he was later, in the orchestral main course, Stravinsky's 1919 Firebird Suite. Again in this latter work, Grammenos brings out absolutely incredible colours, from the first bars of the score through to the Berceuse. The interpretation, of great flexibility, could perhaps seem a little too romantic to some ears, but it demonstrates how much the work has a strong foothold in the 19th Century. This boy is destined for great things in all probability. We hope to see him again soon on the same stage.”

Emmanuel BernierLe Soleil

Orchestre Symphonique de Québec

“The young guest conductor of Greek origin, Dionysis Grammenos, took charge of the OSQ with great mastery. His sobriety, precision and efficiency provided a beautiful shape to the orchestra. He really committed to the music!”

Jacques LeclercLes ArtsZe

English Touring Opera

“This is one of the best Bohèmes I have heard in recent years... Anyone who has heard Beecham or Karajan’s recordings of Bohème will know that, like all great opera, the starting point is an exceptional conductor. Here we get one with Dionysis Grammenos, whose command of Puccini’s idiom is impressive.”

David MellorThe Daily Mail

English Touring Opera

“Puccini’s way of sweeping the listener straight up with youthful high spirits, wistfulness and the bustle of Bohemian Paris can render much else redundant. Dionysis Grammenos’ firm and flexible conducting establishes that clear enough.”

John AllisonThe Telegraph

English Touring Opera

“... the sparer forces found a more concentrated wiry intensity in the music, spurred on by remarkably crisp conducting from Dionysis Grammenos, who excelled in focusing the rhythmic energies of the score. Seldom in London has that treacherous opening downbeat, with its wafer-thin semiquaver rest, burst forth with such control and promise. Grammenos has thrown a gauntlet down to the other major pit orchestras in London who frequently revive this bread-and-butter work.”

Benjamin PooreOperaWire

English Touring Opera

“In the pit, conductor Dionysis Grammenos draws animated, richly coloured playing from the 27- strong orchestra, providing plenty of Puccinian perfume and punch, but a welcome clarity and freshness too.”

Claire SeymourThe Stage

English Touring Opera

“Under conductor Dionysis Grammenos the orchestra achieves a pleasing transparency while not skimping on the occasional blatancy that Puccini demands.”

Nick KimberleyEvening Standard

English Touring Opera

“Really gorgeously conducted by Dionysis Grammenos with acute sensitivity to the emotional flow”

Robert ThicknesseOpera Magazine

English Touring Opera

“The orchestra is expertly handled by conductor Dionysis Grammenos. The music is truly moving, underscoring the emotion played out on the stage.”

Rebecca ArmstrongOpera for All

English Touring Opera

“In the pit Dionysis Grammenos gave us a lithe and engaging account of the score. Grammenos zipped along, and the dialogue flowed beautifully. This was very much Puccini as heightened dialogue, rather than a series of set pieces arias, and it worked very well indeed.”

Robert HugillPlanet Hugill
“His boundless, instinctively poised and naturally unfolding musicality as well as his impressive technical command of the métier apply for his acclaimed clarinet playing as well as his conducting. You find in him a musician who exudes an enthusiasm for music from every single pore and who equally has the talent to communicate and share his enthusiasm and euphoria with others – no matter if it’s about an audience or fellow musicians.”
Johannes DebusMusic Director Canadian Opera Company
“Mr Grammenos has proven to me his extraordinary abilities as a conductor, and he has distinguished himself in a highly competitive field. He is unquestionably an artist of unusual ability.”
Patrick SummersArtistic & Music Director Houston Grand Opera
“I was struck immediately by his playing and the reaction of audiences. His virtuosity is stunning, and his musicianship and phrasing is natural, communicative, and engaging for audiences. He has an engaging personality, and audiences love his charisma and charm.”
Paul KeeneBarbican Classical Music Programming Director
“Dionysis Grammenos is a phenomenon in music, among these that come along once in a rare while. Tremendously talented and gifted with extraordinary musicality.”
Theodor AntoniouComposer, Maestro, Prof. Boston University
“He is a major talent. His natural affinity on the podium is very rare, and his musicianship is extremely refined.”
Larry RachleffMusic Director Rhode Island Philharmonic, Walter Kris Hubert Professor of Music Rice University
“Dionysis Grammenos is an artist full of vitality, vitality that is so important to the world of classical music.”
Christian LindbergTrombonist, composer, conductor
“One of the most promising Stars of tomorrow.”
Die Welt

“A child prodigy!”

Daniel Stabrawa1st Concertmaster of the Berliner Philharmoniker
“Dionysis Grammenos came to my attention as an extremely talented young Greek conductor, already quite experienced in both opera and concert. He has an analytic mind in conceiving scores and a very profound way of expression. He can convey these qualities with great charisma!”
Christoph EschenbachMusic Director designate Konzerthausorchester Berlin
“Dionysis is a marvellous clarinet player. I heard him at the Eurovision Music Competition where we were so impressed with him, we gave him first prize. He has fine technique, excellent musicianship and pleasure to hear.”
Sir Roger NorringtonEurovision Young Musicians Competition President of the Jury