The Nance
"The music - led by Music Director Joe Walsh, on piano, Dana Gardner (reeds), Anthony Dass (trumpet), Jim Hofmann (drums), and Cyndy Elliot (bass) – popped. The band jazzed the scenes, enveloping the stage in the 1930's, and accentuating the comic and the tragic with just the right notes."
Caroline Bock,DC Theater Arts , April 8, 2024
Rags
"The music is gorgeous with glorious singing and a strong orchestra, directed by Joseph Walsh."
Chuck Leonard,DC Metro Theater Arts Review, November 1, 2019
The Pirates of Penzance
"The technical elements remain crisp and professional, as I’ve come to expect from Riverside productions, but the real draw is the live orchestra, directed by Joe Walsh. The music is no less than Broadway quality, and that experience alone is worth the ticket price."
Julia L. Exline, DC Metro Theater Arts Review, May 29, 2019
Big River
"Additionally, the 10-person pit orchestra underscored it all with balanced, lively, and very professional, but rollicking music led by the irrepressible and multi-talented conductor Joe Walsh, who is on the faculties of both the School of Music and Theater."
Sara Dudley Brown, The Zebra, October 29, 2018
George, Don't Do That
"Perhaps the most winning contributor of the evening, however, is Joseph Walsh (Metro Stage’s Master Class) as the music Director and on-stage pianist. He plays well and serves as a highly reactive participant from which Ms. Flye draws much energy."
Sam Abney, Broadway World, March 12, 2018
Christmas at the Old Bull and Bush
"With nimble-fingered Joseph Walsh providing piano accompaniment and also doubling as music director, the audience had a grand time, especially with the singalongs."
Brian Bochicchio, Maryland Theatre Guide, November 23, 2017
La Serva Padrona and Trial By Jury
"The chamber ensemble was led expertly by conductor Joseph Walsh who also accompanied on harpsichord and keyboard. The brisk and insistent point counterpoint rhythm for Gilbert and Sullivan demands crisp precision, no room or space for lingering straggling notes and Walsh assures a light and lilting steady beat. The Walsh and Olcott combo bring a playful direction and clear articulation to the rapid fire libretto with commitment and appeal."
Debbie Minter, DC Theatre Scene, September 19, 2016
Kabarett & Cabaret
"Another welcome sight and sound was the productions music director Joseph Walsh. His piano accompaniment throughout was uncommonly flawless and fully in tune with the show’s era. His amusing impersonation of Arnold Schoenberg proved a delicious additional treat. We hope to see him in future In Series productions."
Terry Ponick, Community Digital News,February 25, 2016
The King and I
"Billing itself as 'America's newest opera company,' Lyric Opera Virginia comes into its own with a theatrical spectacle that rivals that of any company in the country…. The production offers much for the eye and, under the stage direction of Greg Ganakas and music conduction of Joseph Walsh, is notable in that it avoids the syrupy, artificial operetta aura that might surround a show so overly familiar to audiences."
Mal Vincent,The Virginian-Pilot, January 7, 2012
La Traviata
"It's not often that one has the opportunity to see the first production of a brand-new opera company. It's even more rare for that production to be such a musical and dramatic knockout as was Lyric Opera Virginia's La Traviata…the entire production, including the chorus, radiated youthful passion, animation and freshness....Every part of the production was remarkable — beautifully sung, beautifully conducted, beautifully mounted."
M.D. Ridge, Artsong Update, September 11, 2011
Madame Butterfly
"The costuming in this production—traditional Japanese and early 20th century American civil and military—is decently authentic. And better yet, the singing and orchestral playing, under the able, talented baton of Joseph Walsh, was a cut above. An intimate opera after Puccini’s lavish opening scenes, Butterfly needs two strong singers in its lead roles, and two equally able vocalists in the important secondary roles. The Virginia Opera’s production was notable for employing highly capable singers in all four roles."
Terry Ponick, The Washington Times, April 1, 2011
Così Fan Tutte
"The Virginia Opera paid an all-too-brief visit to GMU’s Center for the Arts this weekend past with an extraordinarily funny, elegant, and well sung presentation of Mozart’s ever- popular comic opera, Cosi fan tutte (They all do it)… In this case, however, the company outdid itself in its choice of vocalists. The Virginia Opera Orchestra, under the baton of Joseph Walsh, provided letter-perfect accompaniment for the singers…"
Terry Ponick, The Washington Times, December 9, 2010
Don Giovanni
"Virginia Opera's production of Mozart's "Don Giovanni" which opened Saturday evening at the Harrison Opera House did the amazing — it did not have imbalances and succeeded on every level. Being one of the greatest of all operas, the experience was one of the best offered by the company in recent years, and one that could rival those of bigger companies. Leading the music, conductor Joseph Walsh moved the long story forward at a fast pace, keeping the listener alert by connecting sections of recitative and aria tightly. He drew a polished, energetic performance from the members of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra in the pit, every bit of fast figuration under control."
Lee Teply, The Virginian Pilot, February 15, 2010
The Daughter of the Regiment
"All of the musical details, including the musicians in the pit from the Virginia Symphony, were under the sure direction of conductor Joseph Walsh, who consistently found balance among the musicians while the tempos heightened the drama and moved it forward."
Lee Teply, The Virginian Pilot, November 16, 2009
Tosca
"Maestro Joseph Walsh in the pit did a fine job and kept the pace moving and the tension strong. The Act II drama was especially well-done and the musical accompaniment complimented the action on stage nicely. In the wrong hands this score might outwit a less competent conductor, but in Maestro Walsh's hands we received a vivid rendering with well-placed drama backed by a solid pace throughout.
Joseph Giannino, OperaOnline.us, February 15, 2009
The Elixir of Love
"The Virginia Opera's production of Donizetti's "Elixir of Love" is effervescent, overflowing with good cheer and good singing. In fact, it's a picture perfect presentation of one of the most delightful comic operas in the repertoire. As for the signing, the casting is simply superb. Add to the above a well-prepared chorus and orchestra, adeptly led by Joseph Walsh, the Opera's associate conductor, and you've the making of one thoroughly entertaining endeavor that draws big grins of appreciation."
John Shulson, The Virginia Gazette, November 22, 2008
Eugene Onegin
"Associate Conductor and Chorus Master Joseph Walsh led this matinee, the last of two performances in Richmond's Landmark Theater. The Virginia Symphony's playing was expressive and sumptuous under Walsh's baton as he kept close coordination between the pit and the stage."
William Thomas Walker, Classical Voice of North Carolina, March 7, 2008
The Pirates of Penzance
"Virginia Opera capably and energetically presented "The Pirates of Penzance" at George Mason University's Center for the Arts over the weekend....Walsh set good tempos and handled recitatives and transitions skillfully. The musicians of the Virginia Symphony played cleanly and gave Walsh what he asked for.
Robert Battey, The Washington Post, December 3, 2007
Susannah
"Virginia Opera's unfussy, atmospheric new production did not overplay any of these points but merely let Floyd's rural drama unfold naturally. That it did on December 1 at George Mason University's Center for the Arts, propelled by a director Dorothy Danner, who got a true ensemble effort from the eager cast and a conductor, Joseph Walsh, who demonstrated considerable sensitivity to the finer details in the score and a flair for rhythmic flow. The orchestra's strongly expressive playing provided the firm foundation for this telling reminder of Susannah's enduring power."
Tim Smith, Opera News, December 1, 2006
