“City Opera's performance of "Madama Butterfly" on Sunday afternoon was conducted by a newcomer, Ari Pelto, who led an extremely well paced realization. The first act was crisp and biting, impressive not just as no-nonsense music making, but also setting the stage for highly romantic slower sections in the midst of the second act and a "vigil theme" to die for. The NYCO orchestra was in top form, their coloration as subtle as the cherry blossoms that fall…in this production.”
Fred Kirshnit, New York Sun

"'Don Giovanni' at Wolf Trap: “Don Giovanni"… is shaped and paced with consummate skill by conductor Ari Pelto…"
Joseph McLellan, Washington Post

"Lucretia" takes wing on the strength of its music… And Sunday's performance, led with no-nonsense efficiency by conductor Ari Pelto, showed the score to glittery advantage"
Joshua Kosman, San Francisco Chronicle

“Ari Pelto evoked superb vigor and stylish beauty of playing… (Rape of Lucretia).
John Bender, San Francisco Classical Voice

“Under Ari Pelto's baton, the orchestra has never sounded better, nor the chemistry between pit and stage been quite so palpable.”
Susan Elliot, Atlanta Journal Constitution

“ …as finely attuned to bringing out the dramatic values of a production as any conductor with whom I have worked in my 25 years as a stage director …”
Vincent Liotta

"… a musician of real sensitivity who possesses a keen intellect and artistic idealism …"
Robert Spano

At Spoleto USA: "Pelto shaped the work in a way which brought out all the charm and wit Haydn put into his music."
Charleston Post and Courier

“...a dynamic young force inthe conducting world...”
Sheri Greenawald, Director, San Francisco, Opera Center