Alma: the first press reviews!

“Success for the world premiere of Ella Milch-Sheriff's 'Alma' at the Vienna Volksoper: director Ruth Brauer-Kvam delivers an all-round stage-effective production: thunderous applause, cheers and ovations!” (Kronen Zeitung, 27.10.2024)

“Colorful music and a dazzling subject: The world premiere of Ella Milch-Sheriff's opera about Alma Mahler-Werfel was frenetically acclaimed.” (Der Standard, 27.10.2024)

“The audience is thrilled, and the Volksoper proves that even today it is still possible to compose sophisticated audience successes beyond star theater. If one congenially reworks spectacular material.” (Süddeutsche Zeitung)

“Deeply sad and absolutely worth seeing: 'Alma' at the Volksoper tells the life of muse Alma Mahler-Werfel as a bitter tale of woe with impressive music.” (Kurier, 27.10.2024)

“The opera 'Alma' by Ella Milch-Sheriff was a unanimous world premiere success at the Volksoper Vienna with Annette Dasch in the title role, staged by Ruth Brauer-Kvam and under the musical direction of Omer Meir Wellber.” (BR Klassik, 27.10.2024)

“Thunderous applause, cheers, ovations for 'Alma' - but also for Ruth Brauer-Kvam's effective staging, the conductor Omer Meir Wellber and especially Alma Annette Dasch.” (Kronen Zeitung, 27.10.2024)

“This is what a premiere success looks like, this is what it sounds like: While the stage team bows, the applause swells more and more to a mighty crescendo, culminating in standing ovations for the main characters and the leading team.” (Der Standard, 27.10.2024)

“Unanimous success for the world premiere of Ella Milch-Sheriff's musically allusive 'Alma'.” (Die Presse, 28.10.2024)

“The undisputed star of the evening is Annette Dasch, who gave an
overwhelming performance as Alma.” (Falter, 30.10.2024)

“All the more phenomenal is what has now been achieved with 'Alma' at the Volksoper Wien: the work about the turn-of-the-century supermuse Alma Mahler is perhaps one of the most genuinely sad, oppressive things you can currently see and hear on stage. And yes, that is meant as vehement praise.” (Kurier, 27.10.2024)

“Milch-Sheriff's music is a wonder of variety: sometimes a kind of Viennese song sings from the orchestra pit, sometimes melodic arches arch in elegant Art Nouveau style, sometimes free-tonal chordal mists billow, rhythms pulsate or deformed brass fanfares roar. Even Mahler and Mozart quotations are effectively integrated into this melting pot score.” (Der Standard, 27.10.2024)

“Annette Dasch does the vocal heavy lifting, translating Alma's pain and inner turmoil into tones of bitter sharpness. Annelie Sophie Müller lends her daughter Anna equal vocal power and a noble sound culture.” (Der Standard, 27.10.2024)

“Nobody needs to be afraid of Milch-Sheriff's new music: Dramatically charged, rich in color, full of quirky waltzes, tango, tight marches and catchy quotes - for example from Gustav Mahler's 'Third' - it nestles into the story. Sovereign: Omer Meir-Wellber on the podium of the impeccable Volksopernorchester.” (Kronen Zeitung 27.10.2024)