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TOSCA (Opera Memphis)“At Saturday's sold-out TOSCA performance, drama did rise consistently from the orchestra pit. Conductor Michael Ching provided intense orchestral color, ranging from the crackle of trombones at that first menacing entrance by Scarpia the police chief, to the expressive clarinet solo preceding the artist Cavaradossi's last anguished solo.”
Whitney Smith, The Commercial Appeal
TURANDOT (Opera New Jersey)"Michael Ching conducted [Turandot] here with ample brio for the heroic outbursts, solo and communal, counterbalanced by welcome degrees of subtlety to underscore the essential human conflicts.“
Martin Bernheimer, The Financial Times (London)
TRAVIATA (Hawaii Opera Theatre)“… Michael Ching's direction of the Honolulu Symphony epitomized the sensitivity and support the successful opera conductor must bring to his craft."
Gregory Shepherd, Honolulu Advertiser
SURRENDER ROAD (Nashville Opera)“That his music is conducted by the dynamic Michael Ching only adds to the pleasure.“
Evans O'Donnell, The Tennessean
LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR (New Jersey Opera)“A chamber group from the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Michael Ching, played stylishly and well, the French horns and solo flute and harp deserving of special kudos.“
Diana Burgwyn, The Philadelphia Enquirer
COMPOSITIONS
KING OF THE CLOUDS (Opera)“For pure delectation... KING OF THE CLOUDS at the Darkhorse Theatre [is] a gift to Nasvhille. It's musical theater of high order-call it opera if you prefer-in which the dialogue is sung.“
The Tennessean
PSYCHE AND EROS (Narrator and String Orchestra)“The Ching/Wolfson collaboration is simply marvelous. I will be astonished if it does not rush headfirst into both the orchestral repertory and an actor's collection of things to do. It's either like being told a great story with musical accompaniment or hearing a wonderful piece of music made more engaging by a narrator.“
Dan Leeson, San Francisco Classical Voice
BUOSO'S GHOST (Opera)“...I think Ching may have it--the '"it" 'that opera composers need... This multiple '"it"' is made up of a gift for lyricism...and a knowledge of how to write for voices and how to tap the resources of an orchestra....And that's not all. He also has a sense of what works in the theater, along with a sense of humor.“
Charles Staff, Indianapolis StarQ2
“However, much to my surprise, '"Buoso's Ghost,"'the continuation, was fantastic. The music was rich and flowed like the Puccini of old. But this was not Puccini's music. It was the creation of Michael Ching...'"Buoso's Ghost"' was more than exciting. It was thrilling, funny, and thoroughly entertaining.“Charles Epstein, Ind 6
“..borrows snatches of Puccini tunes and weaves them into his own conservative-eclectic idiom, tossing in bits of American pop...for merry measure. The vocal writing is expert, the orchestration light enough to allow the singers to project the text clearly. "Buoso" is charming and unpretentious…“John von Rhein, Chicago Tribune
“…wonderfully entertaining sequel… Written in a witty, Broadway-tinged idiom, Ching's score includes echoes of Puccini and affectionate parodies, including a sharp-eared gospel bit. The entire cast seemed to have as much fun performing Ching's work as the full house did watching.“Bradley Bambarger, New Jersey Star Ledger
OUT OF THE RAIN (Opera)“The premiere Friday of the one-act opera'"Out of the Rain"' unveiled a truly remarkable work of musical theater. Its consistently compelling music, provocative but ultimately uplifting contemporary themes and uniformly excellent performances inspired the near-capacity crowd to demand an extended curtain call from the show's creative team.“
Rick Mulrooney, The News Journal (Wilmington)
CORPS OF DISCOVERY (Opera)“There was much about this large-scale hymn to America to like, not the least of which was the subject matter. "Corps of Discovery" is a grand treatment of a grand event in American history 200 years ago: the Lewis and Clark expedition.“ “… some passages are sheer poetry, and happily, they occur at some of the best moments. “ “… Ching and Moffatt have given life to a monumental achievement, and there is great reason for Opera Memphis to take pride in this accomplishment, which has its second and final performance tonight at 7:30.“
Jon W. Sparks, The Commercial Appeal