Soloist in PRIDE CONCERT

San Francisco Opera

“Barton’s dark and rich ‘Mon coueur s’ouvre á ta voix,’ from Saint-Saëns’ Samson and Dalila, was a treat before the rousing Bachanale from the same opera. The pop half of the program took flight with Barton and Printz’ delightfully light, yet soulful, ‘Closer to Fine’ by the Indigo Girls. Another visual highpoint was the sweeping images of San Francisco’s queer history from the GLBT Historical Society Museum as Barton gave a moving take of Melissa Etheridge’s ‘Uprising of Love.’”
–San Francisco Chronicle

“Barton gave an alluring ‘Mon coeur s’ouvre à ta voix’ and continued with Reynaldo Hahn’s song ‘À Chloris,’ a neat segue to the popular/Broadway side of the program. Barton and Mulligan demonstrated their considerable comedic skills in a personalized version of “Bosom Buddies” from Jerry Herman’s musical Mame.”
–San Francisco Classical Voice

“Two particular moments were especially noteworthy: when Barton performed Etheridge’s ‘Uprising of Love,’ the projected photographs (courtesy of the GLBT Historical Society) of gay marches over the years truly brought the song’s message to life. Mulligan and Barton also displayed their comedic chops as they traded compliments and insults in the rousing ‘Bosom Buddies.’”
–Parterre Box

“Opera singers who can venture into the world of pop music without making you cringe just a little are a rare and valuable breed; the technical and expressive requirements are so far from their training that not everyone can make the adjustment. But Friday’s corps of singers had this stuff down. They sang with freedom, flair and excitement; you could hear them putting their personal stamps on each number. Barton and Printz joined forces for a buoyant account of the Indigo Girls anthem ‘Closer to Fine,’ making the duo harmonies ring through the hall with particular vibrancy. In Melissa Etheridge’s ‘Uprising of Love,’ Barton’s swaggering zeal, accompanied by visual imagery from generations of gay protest marches, felt downright inspirational.”
–On a Pacific Aisle