FinneganDownie Dear
News
- 12 April 2024
Finnegan Downie Dear debuts at Staatsoper Hamburg
Read full article - 16 February 2024
Finnegan Downie Dear returns to Staatskapelle Berlin
Read full article - 13 October 2023
Finnegan Downie Dear debuts with the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra
Read full article - 22 May 2023
Finnegan Downie Dear debuts at Wiener Konzerthaus with Camerata Salzburg
Read full article - 07 April 2023
Finnegan Downie Dear debuts in Japan
Read full article - 20 January 2023
Finnegan Downie Dear debuts at Staatsoper Berlin
Read full article - 20 October 2022
Finnegan Downie Dear makes US debut with Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Read full article - 10 June 2022
Finnegan Downie Dear debuts with the Hallé
Read full article - 22 April 2022
Finnegan Downie Dear debuts with the London Philharmonic Orchestra
Read full article - 05 October 2021
Finnegan Downie Dear debuts with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Read full article - 19 November 2020
Finnegan Downie Dear debuts with Gothenburg Symphony
Read full article - 26 July 2020
In conversation with Finnegan Downie Dear following Mahler Competition win
Read full article - 06 July 2020
Finnegan Downie Dear & Harry Ogg take home Mahler Competition prizes
Read full article - 07 February 2020
Finnegan Downie Dear makes conducting debut at Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
Read full article
Press
Macbeth
State Opera of South AustraliaSep 2023Finnegan Downie Dear conducted the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra with clarity. Of course, as an audience member one is always aware of the sound that emerges from the orchestra pit, but it shouldn’t always be the primary focus. It needs to complement the action, rather than being a driving or motivating force itself. That is how he conducted. He understands the intent of the poetry of the libretto, and how Verdi’s score draws out the meaning. When it was appropriate that the music take centre stage, Finnegan Downie Dear unleashed the forces of the ASO with vigour without losing musicality.
- Kym Clayton, The Barefoot Review
- 07 September 2023
From the moment the conductor, Finnegan Downie Dear, lifts his baton the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra adds another actor to the piece. The level and integrity of the score drive the opera in different directions with such ease; the conversations it creates with the singers are magical.
- Adrian Barnes, Glam Adelaide
- 07 September 2023
Verdi’s brilliant score is played with panache by the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra under guest conductor Finnegan Downie Dear, who also conducted the ASO’s last Symphony Series concert, and regular concertmaster Kate Suthers. The woodwind theme is especially beautiful. Downie Dear’s pacing is precise and they play with remarkable clarity...
- Diana Carroll, ArtsHub
- 11 September 2023
The opening is enchanting: wood instruments and shrieking flutes talking to each other, as if they were voices running through the woods, setting the scene for the on-stage dark mischief, all conducted by Finnigan Downie Dear who did a thoroughly excellent job throughout the performance. Verdi’s score comes up vividly in the performance, heightening the drama as is fitting to the tragic opera.
- Suzanne Strahle, InReview
- 07 September 2023
Seeger, Beethoven & Mahler 4
Adelaide Symphony OrchestraAug 2023The Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (ASO) did not disappoint under the enthusiastic baton of British conductor Finnegan Downie Dear, making his debut appearance here... Osborne and Downie Dear displayed superb synergy as they reached the climax at the end of the first 'allegro moderato' movement. The second and third movements segued together seamlessly...
- Dr Diana Carroll, ArtsHub
- 28 August 2023
Steven Osborne and the ASO under conductor Downie Dear combined wonderfully in this captivating performance of the Beethoven.
- Chris Reid, Limelight
- 27 August 2023
Wagner, Berg, Harvey & Debussy
Bamberg Symphony OrchestraFeb 2022***** [Downie Dear] is increasingly recognised for his mastery of complex scores and his intense and mature performances. In magnificent solos and fairytale-like tutti dizziness, he led the musicians through Debussy's world of ideas about the sea, letting the orchestra paint dense sound pictures full of shimmering colours and depth.
- Michael Vieth, Bachtrack
- 13 February 2022
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Hoddinott Hall, CardiffDec 2021Downie Dear ensured that the players, both in their accompaniment and in the expansive orchestral sections, matched Ridout in sensitivity. The sheer beauty of it all was mesmerising and, by the end, profoundly moving... Downie Dear balanced the score’s moments of languid delicacy with more vibrant characterisations that, being Ravel, never become remotely pantomimic.
- Rian Evans, The Guardian
- 12 December 2021
Mozart Don Giovanni
Nevill Holt OperaAug 2021Musically it is also a challenge but no problem for conductor Finnegan Downie Dear and the first Nevill Holt outing for the Shadwell Ensemble as he balances the musicians on stage with the singers behind him and all over and on and off that mound.
- Mike Smith, Opera Scene
- 21 August 2021
Charting the entire score admirably as well as seeking out its detail, conductor Finnegan Downie Dear confirmed his rising reputation.
- George Hall, Opera Now
- 01 October 2021
Ravel & Knussen
Shadwell Opera CompanyOct 2019The Shadwell Ensemble played with terrific fervour under Finnegan Downie Dear… a lovely performance by the orchestra of Ravel’s fairytale ballet score, Mother Goose, the silky sonorities beautifully balanced by Downie Dear.
- Neil Fisher, The Times
- 28 October 2019
Beethoven Pastoral Symphony
Kosice State PhilharmonicMay 2019During this performance we had the opportunity to fully admire the abilities of conductor Finnegan Downie Dear. Thanks to his precise, inspiring and masterful conducting, we could immerse ourselves in the perfection of Beethoven's musical thinking.
- Lýdia Urbančíková, Opera Slovakia
- 06 May 2019
Sibelius Valse Triste
Swedish Radio Symphony OrchestraApr 2019Finnegan Downie Dear refreshingly brings life to this often routinely performed work. He sensitively draws out the fragility of the piece, accentuating the quiet sad tones and softening over the top cheeriness.
- Nicholas Ringskog Ferrada-Noli, Dagens Nyheter
- 26 April 2019
Scottish Opera
Theatre Royal, GlasgowFeb 2018In the pit, the soloists of the Orchestra of Scottish Opera were on first class form as a deranged cabaret band, under the baton of Finnegan Downie Dear.
- Keith Bruce, The Herald
- 04 February 2018
The small twenty strong band of an eclectic mix of instruments under conductor Finnegan Downie Dear tackled the tumultuous and quirky score with infectious verve and enthusiasm.
- David Smythe, Bachtrack
- 05 February 2018