Sousa was electrifying in moments of grandeur, high drama and emotional intensity. Playing and choral singing were both sensationally good, which meant that the fall of Troy was edge-of-your-seat-stuff, with an almost fanatical vehemence in the singing, and a thrilling exploration of Berlioz’s orchestral palette, with its edgy woodwind, dark strings and rasping, terrifying brass. The Guardian

The mastery shown by this young conductor… who made a brilliant debut last year at the Proms at the head of the Northern Sinfonia of which he has just taken over, is as impressive as it is exciting. […] Dinis Sousa implements the composer’s intentions very exactly… he holds and supports his musicians with a gaze that sees everything… He never forgets the trajectory… It captivates us from start to finish… Like a vast speech whose eloquence seems to flow naturally. Bachtrack

Sousa projected energy and confidence from the moment he stepped on stage. He launched into the overture before the applause which greeted the performers had subsided. The gesture had its effect, but didn’t signal what was to come. Sousa led a performance that was graceful and airy, although if bite was called for, the violins and oboes were quick to add it. New York Classical Review

CPE Bach’s Cello Concerto in A minor struck me as a Sturm und Drang masterpiece, especially with Sousa encouraging such incisive, ultra- passionate playing all round the band.  The Times

Straightaway it was clear that the conductor wasn't going to leave us feeling indifferent, taking great care of each phrase, or lending romantic flair to the rhythmic gesture [...] The concert ended with another wonderful score [...] the suite from Stravinsky’s Firebird. The result was extremely compelling, with a transparency that few interpretations ever manage to achieve; despite having heard it many times before, we were left with the impression of having just listened to some of the piece for the first time. A splendid and revelatory evening. Público

Tempos were carefully varied and colours expertly crafted to create a reading that felt fresh and brilliantly clean, with some superb orchestral playing that suggests Sousa has already struck up a good rapport with his players. The Times