“I was born into a China of misery and tears. The China of my birth was a vast, undeveloped country, where poverty, banditry, and civil war were rife, and where it was particularly unwise to be born female.” With these

Renowned for her commanding presence and profound musical insight, Simone Young has broken barriers in the traditionally male-dominated world of orchestral conducting. Young’s career is marked by a distinguished trajectory that has earned her a reputation for passionate interpretations crafted

Gioachino Rossini was known for his playful, irreverent wit and larger-than-life personality. His music certainly radiated lively exuberance, and it was full of energy and infectious charm that mirrored his zest for life. Rossini was a man of indulgence, known

Most people think of music and sports as two very different worlds. One is about artistry and emotion, the other about strength and endurance. But in reality, they share a lot—dedication, discipline, and the need for smart, structured training. In

Listen to the music of Jean-Baptiste Lully, Marc-Antoine Charpentier, Michel-Richard Delalande, François Couperin and Jean-Philippe Rameau, and you enter a world of elegance, ornamentation and artful rhythm. Most of all, as scholar James Anthony noted, French Baroque music “speaks of

The renowned American conductor JoAnn Falletta has gained international acclaim for her dynamic and expressive conducting style and for her commitment to promoting both the classical repertoire and works by contemporary composers. Known for her ability to connect deeply with

I will soon be performing two concerts at London’s new Bechstein Hall, centred around the music of Chopin and Ravel on their respective birthdays. The first, on 1st March, will celebrate Chopin, while the second, on 7th March, will mark

Clara Wieck Schumann was one of the nineteenth century’s greatest pianists and composers. Over the course of her remarkable career, she provided indispensable feedback to her husband Robert Schumann, as well as her lifelong friend Johannes Brahms. Her strong opinions