“The brightest spot is the young cast which is filled with vigor and enthusiasm, and adroit orchestral performance led by James Conlon that adds color to an otherwise desolate landscape.” – San Francisco Classical Voice

“Ultimately, the most potent driving force that made this Bohème rise above the level of routine was conductor James Conlon… ” – Classical Voice North America

“The orchestra’s sound was glorious, some passages translucent and others romantically blended. One of Los Angeles Opera’s greatest assets is Conductor James Conlon who played with well thought out rubato and drew both lyric and dramatic virtuosity from his instrumental artists.” – Broadway World

“James Conlon in the pit led an LA Opera Orchestra which keeps getting better, more alert, more responsive to his wishes, with a wider range of dynamics and expressive in ways that only the best opera orchestras achieve. They had soaring lyrical flair, a real street-band tang in their winds, and split-second timing with the singers.”– Bachtrack

“James Conlon played Puccini like it’s a Mahler symphony – with oodles of sumptuous strings and beguiling woodwinds.  The reviews of the opera’s 1898 Turin premiere complained about Puccini’s “symphonic music”.  Here maestro Conlon revels in it, whipping up some truly opulent sounds that carry the voices to soaring heights.” – Classical Voice

“On opening night, Kosky’s work fizzed with vitality and emotion, achieved through the outstanding breadth of talent who delivered both powerful and visceral vocals on stage and by the tireless team of musicians in the pit led buoyantly by James Conlon in producing an excellent and expressive-rich sound.”- Opera Chaser

“James Conlon’s (whose affectionately close ties to La Bohème began in early childhood) conducting is among the finest renderings ever heard at The Dorothy Chandler. For this reason, it makes the singers shine with poignant strength.” – Concerto Net

“…the orchestra, under LA Opera Music Director James Conlon sounded beautifully full right from the very start. I loved the conjuring of the celestial moonlight underneath “O soave fanciùlla,” the tender cushioning chords under, say, Rodolfo’s first observation of Mimì’s beauty, the sparkling woodwind playing overall, and, in particular, the detailed work of harpist, JoAnn Turovsky.” – Opera Wire

“Conductor James Conlon and producer Barrie Kosky have managed an incredible feat with the realization of this opera, and have melded their prowess in adaptation successfully with Puccini’s beloved opera.Don’t miss out on this stellar production!” – Flaunt Magazine