The performance, under the direction of Prof. Helge Dorsch, was an impressive musical experience... Garmisch-Partenkirchener Tagblatt
Helge Dorsch skillfully conveyed the various styles inherent in this opera to the audience with great sensitivity... A remarkable musical event. Münchner Merkur
The "Carmen" performance on Saturday evening set new standards... The prerequisites for this were sensitive musical direction and a strong performance by the choir and orchestra. Haller Kreisblatt
The Loreley Festival Orchestra, under the direction of Helge Dorsch, repeatedly elicited special applause from the audience... Minutes of applause and standing ovations from the 4,000 stadium guests. Westfalen-Blatt (Bielefeld)
Under the direction of Helge Dorsch, the music was performed with great versatility, warmth, and dynamism. Die Glocke
The orchestra of the Loreley Festival, conducted by Helge Dorsch, played with technical precision and commitment. When it soared to forte and fortissimo, the heightened emotions became almost tangible. Neue Westfälische (OWL/Bielefeld)
The orchestra impressed with a balanced and flexible interplay between the string and wind sections. Bonner Generalanzeiger
In "Carmen," the orchestral sound in the pit must explode. This is exactly what the audience at the sold-out Clingenburg Festival stage experienced. With fiery verve and fascinating precision, the Loreley Festival Orchestra unleashed a colorful splendor that carried even in the open air. As in previous years, the conductor Helge Dorsch once again convinced. With suggestive gestures, the master at the podium fired up the orchestra, achieving precisely this splendor. Main-Echo
The most committed physical effort was shown by conductor Helge Dorsch. The Loreley Festival Orchestra was challenged from the very first bars of the briskly taken prelude. Offenbach-Post
The orchestra reached its peak performance with Verdi and Bizet, proving to be a homogeneous sound body. The Prisoners’ Chorus was performed movingly and powerfully, and the rousing Spanish rhythms of Bizet were "under the skin." Rheinpfalz Zeitung (Opera Concert)
The choir and orchestra of the Loreley Festival, under the direction of Helge Dorsch, routinely contributed to the success of the enchanting opera night. Berliner Morgenpost
The orchestra, under the direction of Helge Dorsch, was in close contact with the audience and delivered an excellent performance. Aachener Zeitung
Conductor Helge Dorsch is among the greats of his field... Standing ovations... Münsterland Zeitung
The orchestra played superbly under the direction of Helge Dorsch, who never had his head in the score, but rather had the score in his head, conducting the work precisely from memory... Delicate colors from the flutes and strings, transparent brass passages... A noble and elegant performance with perfect technical execution and emotional sensitivity... Long-lasting applause. Weilburger Tageblatt
The orchestra pleasantly interpreted Bizet’s music. Die Rheinpfalz
With Helge Dorsch, the entire ensemble was led by a competent musical personality who, with precise baton technique and energetic, spirited diction, inspired the orchestra, choir, and singers to remarkable performances. It is worth noting, as a remarkable achievement, that he conducted the entire work from memory. Coburger Tageblatt
The musical director skillfully heightened the passion of the music through precise and compelling conducting, transporting us to the heated bullfighting arena of Seville. He accompanied the soloists with a clean, engaging sound and left no doubt about who was "master of the house." He led the soloists and orchestra to maintain the tempos—no leniency for stars—and brought the festival ensemble to a sizzling and in every respect thrilling opera evening. Coburger Neue Presse
Bizet’s work played briskly (Headline) A cohesive sound and precise cues were convincing even in turbulent situations. This is not a given in the rock dome, where the musical director has to conduct from memory as a "panoramic conductor" (orchestra on the left, stage on the right)... Helge Dorsch conducted the interludes very lively, not just "beating time." Westfalenpost
... under the direction of Helge Dorsch, the dramatic finale was musically convincing. Kölner Rundschau
Helge Dorsch led the choir and orchestra through the work with confidence and consistently bold tempos. Oldenburger Volkszeitung
Through his precise, sensitive conducting, Helge Dorsch skillfully brought out the nuances, approaching the piece with a lively tempo. Thanks to his subtle leadership, tension built without relying on gimmicks. Helge Dorsch also excellently brought out the comedic elements and conveyed French elegance through a light baton technique. The conductor’s masterful and virtuosic handling of the baton, which united the singers and orchestra into a harmonious ensemble and motivated the musicians to peak performances, conducting the entire evening from memory, was highly impressive. The extremely faithful interpretation of the work captivated the audience. Grafschafter Nachrichten
Through his precise, sensitive conducting, Helge Dorsch skillfully brought out the nuances, approaching the piece with a lively tempo. Thanks to his subtle leadership, tension built without relying on gimmicks. Helge Dorsch also excellently brought out the comedic elements and conveyed French elegance through a light baton technique. The conductor’s masterful and virtuosic handling of the baton, which united the singers and orchestra into a harmonious ensemble and motivated the musicians to peak performances, conducting the entire evening from memory, was highly impressive. The extremely faithful interpretation of the work captivated the audience. Grafschafter Nachrichten