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Bernard Haitink, former Music Director of the Royal Opera amongst other things, was in the first night audience. He can take pride in the ENO debut of Leo McFall, his assistant in concerts with the Royal Concertgebouw, Chicago Symphony and Vienna Philharmonic. McFall brought to this Traviata a clarity and beauty of phrasing. The orchestra responded warmly. These players may know this score with their eyes shut, but in their responsive playing they made it fresh.

Fiona MaddocksThe Observer

Leo McFall's lithe conducting of the excellent orchestra and chorus was the other beacon of light.

Hugh CanningThe Sunday Times

The one shining star is in the pit, where the young British conductor Leo McFall kept the orchestra under firm control without sacrificing sensitivity or grace. The melancholy beauty of the opening prelude was the evening's highlight.

Rupert ChristiensenThe Telegraph

None of these voices were especially weighty, but that didn't matter, given the luminous sounds rising from the pit, and the all-pervading glow of tenderness and warmth that Leo McFall drew from the Opera North Orchestra.

Richard BratbyThe Spectator

Leo McFall drew a fine-grained performance from the orchestra. Highly fluid with plenty of rubato, McFall also kept things moving and Act 2 flew by without ever seeming pushed. This was a very modern take on the piece, clean and lithe, but one which did not eschew tradition and drew very fine playing from the orchestra.

Robert HugillPlanet Hugill

Leo McFall, another first timer with the company, conducts a lovingly shaped performance from the ENO orchestra, bringing out details in this score you don't often hear.

Erica JealThe Guardian

Above all the conducting of Leo McFall signals the arrival of another exceptionally gifted young conductor from the Glyndebourne stable which has contributed so much in this field during the last 80 years. He secured glorious playing of this score from the small ensemble taken from Glyndebourne's fine tour orchestra. But above all he showed theatrical and musical instincts of the highest order, and a natural personal authority which will stand him in very good stead indeed as his career grows naturally in the coming years.

Brian DickieTypepad

McFall drew some ravishing playing from the orchestra, elevating Verdi's often simple orchestration into something far more sublime.

Kevin WongBachtrack