Sinfonietta of Riverdale

Best of the Boroughs

This new chamber orchestra is off-the-hook fabulous.… more

— Time Out New York, February 22, 2010

Conducting Chamber Music on a Grand Scale

Mark Mandarano has conducted on some of the biggest stages across the country, but he's also a maestro much closer to home.… more

— Peabody Magazine, February 1, 2010

Sinfonietta of Riverdale: Maestri

High culture has flowed northward.… more

— The New Yorker, December 7, 2009

Sinfonietta Success Sets Stage for Second Season

Mr. Mandarano emphasizes a focus on the quality of the music in each concert. But he also seems to be looking for a small coup — something new and different and part of the experiment — in each event.… more

— N. Clark Judd, The Riverdale Press, May 7, 2009

Some Big Music in Little Riverdale

Maybe it is just the right time for some beautiful, timeless music.… more

— Patrice O'Shaughnessy, The New York Daily News, February 3, 2009

Sinfonietta Brings Music a Lot Closer to Home

Riverdalians love music, but they could live without the schlep to Lincoln Center or Carnegie Hall. At least, that's what Mark Mandarano, the founder of the Sinfonietta of Riverdale, is betting on. … more

— N. Clark Judd, The Riverdale Press, January 15, 2009

Young Conductors Show Off Their Training With The National Symphony

Mandarano lifted Copland's asymmetrical Latin rhythms [El Salon Mexico] right off the ground, uniting all his forces with big, bold strokes.

— Washington Post, May 25, 2005

National Conductor Institute [National Symphony at the Kennedy Center]

Mark Mandarano's sure grasp on Copland's El Salon Mexico kept the music dancing and swaying evocatively.

— Baltimore Sun, May 25, 2005

An Outstanding Effort From the [Pacific Symphony] Orchestra

All evening Mandarano guided the ensemble with gleeful enthusiasm. Falla's radiant melodies and steamy rhythms sounded full and lively [Three Cornered Hat] as did Strauss's lush and dizzying suite [from Rosenkavalier].

— Peter Lefevre, Orange County Register, August 27, 2001

Festival Orchestra Shines Under Mandarano's Baton [Oregon Coast Music Festival]

Mandarano gave it his all and the Festival Orchestra stayed with him all the way [in Strauss, Suite from Rosenkavalier]. Mandarano appeared to have a tremendous amount of fun during this concert. His adept control during the Brahms Second Symphony, especially when weaving the first Allegro's themes, left some audience members murmuring the wish that he had been one of the contenders for the soon-to-be-vacated chair of Portland Symphony's James De Priest. Any open slots for a guest conductor have been soundly earned by Mark Mandarano.

— Teri Albert, The World, Coos Bay Oregon, July 27, 2001