First female conductor, Marin Alsop, rocks Last Prom
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.You could not have dreamed up a better PR warm-up than the one for this Last Night of the Proms, with Nigel Kennedy's multiple baiting of the PC police, and Joyce DiDonato telling all who would listen about her Vivienne Westwood frocks.
Meanwhile, Vasily Petrenko's inflammatory remarks about the inappropriateness of female conductors prepared the ground for the figure on the podium: the American conductor Marin Alsop. Her appointment as first-ever female conductor of the Last Prom seemed seriously overdue.
The house went wild even before her first incisive downbeat, launching a variegated bill with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and its Chorus on top form – as were the soloists. Countertenor Iestyn Davies effortlessly projected his vibrato-free sound in Bernstein's "Chichester Psalms", and the air-punching turnip-head who followed him didn't mess about: when Kennedy soared aloft in "The Lark Ascending", it was with the purest thread of melody, perfect from start to finish. DiDonato didn't mess about either.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments