“Espressivo, which righteously calls itself a ‘small intense orchestra,’ delivered the goods last month with a season finale that filled Peace United Church with edgy Romantic-era rarities led by guest conductor Daniel Henriks. Finessing a program of rarely heard music, Henriks was clearly at home with both music and the musicians, many of them regulars with other top ensembles. At the heart of the finely curated program lay a spellbinding song cycle by Hector Berlioz, a setting of dark and moody poems by renowned poet Theophile Gautier [...] It was a lovely and deeply felt performance.”
– Christina Waters, Good Times, July 2, 2025

“Espressivo’s opening concert of its 6th Season on September 19, 2021 began with Arcangelo Corelli’s Concerto Grosso, Opus 6, Nr. 3. Espressivo performed a resounding celebration of Corelli’s colorful baroque music, full of character and cheery with sweet violins accompanied by a solid continuo. Next was the Concerto for English Horn, Opus 34, a late work of the Venetian composer Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari. Peter Lemberg, the soloist in the concerto was brilliant in this rarely performed gem. The program concluded with Mozart’s Symphony Nr. 29. Its light-hearted charm and elegance resulted in a work which was entertaining and delightful.” – Santa Cruz Sentinel September 23, 2021

“Masterpieces by three major American composers received consistently strong performances in Espressivo’s “An American Heritage” program at Peace United Church in Santa Cruz on March 30.” – Roger Emanuels, Performing Arts Monterey Bay April 3, 2017