Inspiring new generations of composers

Sally Beamish

Sally Beamish with the viola made by her daughter

Northern Ballet in David Nixon's The Little Mermaid, set on music by Sally Beamish

Sally Beamish won the Award for Inspiration at the 2018 British Composers Awards

By Laura Volpi, 25 January 2019

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“I didn’t think it was possible, but I feel like I have it all now”

Bachtrack, 24th February

Setting texts by Nobel prize winning author Han Kang, this new work by British composer Laura Bowler for soprano and large orchestra is an emotionally charged exploration of mourning and longing.

The giving of gifts: Pierre-Laurent Aimard on György Kurtág

Tim Rutherford-Johnson, 16th February

As the idiosyncratic, laconic Hungarian composer approaches his 100th birthday, we talk to Pierre-Laurent Aimard about his decades-long relationship with György Kurtág, on his unique playfulness and gift-giving.

Back in the spotlight: Bru Zane gives women composers chance to shine

Elodie Olson-Coons, 2nd February

With significant works by Louise Farrenc, Augusta Holmès and Clémence de Grandval – including two grand operas – Palazzetto Bru Zane is pioneering rediscovery of French music of the 19th century.

Dinosaurs of the Baroque: discovering Les Dinos et l’Arche

Lawrence Dunn, 2nd January

Thomas Leininger’s Baroque-inspired children’s opera at Geneva’s La Cité Bleue is a unique stylistic departure, which asks the essential question: what happened to the dinosaurs left off Noah’s Ark?

A political composer? John Adams revisits Nixon in China

Thomas May, 30th September

Returning to conduct Rome’s Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia this November, John Adams reflects on the situation of music in the US – and why he has so often been labelled a ‘political’ composer.

Opera premieres 2025–26: visions and fairy tales

Bachtrack, 1st September

Contemporary music theatre seems to be in a state of rude health, and we preview several new stage works soon to hit the boards this coming season at venues and opera houses around the world.

Laura Volpi

Laura Volpi used to be Bachtrack's Commissioning Editor. Having studied singing as part of the choir of Teatro Alla Scala, Milano, in her native Italy, she has a soft spot for Mozart operas and contemporary dance, but also loves all classical music. A published author and magazine writer, in summer you can find her queuing for the Proms or in Hyde Park listening to Vivaldi while feeding carrots to squirrels.

Inspiring a new generation of composers: Sally Beamish