Page 120 - FULL BOOK Isata Kanneh-Mason Childhood Tales

Stories that impact people today… Chanáe Curtis, Idunnu Münch, Nadine Benjamin and Sarah-
Jane Lewis in Blue by Jeanine Tesori, at English National Opera, April 2023. Photograph:
Tristram Kenton/The Guardian

3. Look to Europe and speak about the arts with pride

We need to shout more about the excellence and passion of our work. My experience of
Europe, at the Bergen Philharmonic, suggests it takes greater pride in cultural
establishments. Even people who don’t visit the opera house in their city feel it is theirs.
It gives the city strength, identity, a sense of community. Governmentally, the arts
should be spoken about with pride and confidence.

We now have an entire generation who weren’t offered music as part of their core
curriculum. The educational and social benefits of arts education is proven. In my
experience, the UK seems to engage with this less than any other European country. No
orchestra on its own, hard as we work can make up for this vacuum and we all need
music education reinstated as soon as possible. Edward Gardner, principal conductor,
London Philharmonic Orchestra and chief conductor, Bergen Philharmonic.
Compare the billions Germany and France invest in the arts with our government’s
£458.5m contribution. Culture is central to these countries’ psyche but our politicians
are cowardly when it comes to promoting homegrown talent. Sarah Connolly, singer

(clockwise from bottom left): contributors Jamie Njoku-Goodwin, Jane Mitchell, Edward
Gardner, Matthew Kofi Waldren, Jess Gillam, Antonio Pappano, Meurig Bowen and Sarah