Page 141 - Alison Balsom Quiet City FULL BOOK

Centre. Famously, after breaking her leg on the opening night of The
Barber of Seville at Covent Garden, Joyce completed the series of
performances in a wheelchair, much to the delight of the public.

Read more: The 20 greatest operas ever written

'When we stop valuing culture we lose empathy and
compassion'
Joyce DiDonato worries about people losing touch with Culture
Play Video

11. Gustavo Dudamel – conductor

The Venezuelan maestro’s impact is felt in three continents, his roles
taking him from the helm of the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra, to
the LA Philharmonic and the Paris Opera. In 2017 he became the youngest
conductor in history to lead the Vienna Philharmonic’s New Year’s Day
Concert, and in 2019 he conducted the soundtrack recording for Steven
Spielberg’s West Side Story. And we’d be remiss to mention perhaps his
best-loved moment – conducting penguins on Sesame Street and bringing
classical music to American children, many for the first time.

12. Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla – conductor

Lithuanian conductor Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla has electrified audiences in
her role at the helm of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, after
taking the baton from Sir Simon Rattle. Gražinytė-Tyla signed an exclusive
recording contract with Deutsche Grammophon in 2019, and became the
first female conductor ever to do so.

Mirga Grazinyte-Tyla conducts the LA Phil at the Hollywood
Bowl
Grazinyte-Tyla conducts the Carmen Suite (by Bizet, arranged by Schedrin)
Play Video

13. Angela Gheorghiu – soprano

Romanian soprano Angela Gheorghiu is famed for her stunning
interpretations of Puccini and Verdi, and her extraordinary range. At one
rehearsal of her highly acclaimed 1994 La Traviata at the Royal Opera
House, Sir Georg Solti said: “I was in tears. I had to go out. The girl is
wonderful. She can do everything.” In the 2020s, over 25 years since she
created a storm on the Covent Garden stage, she’s still wowing audiences
and critics alike. A great diva of our time, who we’re proud to share a
birthday with!