JoAnn Falletta
Photo: Mark Dellas
JoAnn Falletta, Music Director of Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Music Director of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, and Principal Guest Conductor of the Brevard Music Center, has been named the first-ever Classical Woman of the Year by Performance Today, which is produced by American Public Media and heard on radio stations across the US.
« JoAnn Falletta is a mighty figure on the global music scene. She brings a bright freshness to classical standards, and her vision includes and elevates so many worthy composers and artists who’ve been too long overlooked, » said Fred Child, host of Performance Today. « She is a tireless champion of the artform itself, not just on the podium, but in ways that are not always visible or public; our listeners’ nominating stories about her included myriad examples of Falletta’s unique combination of artistic authority and compassion, compelling musicianship and humanity. It is an honor for us to name her as Performance Today’s 2019 Classical Woman of the Year. »
Falletta was selected out of more than 120 nominees. Performance Today featured a select number of nominating essays on the show’s website. Finalists included violinist Hilary Hahn, conductor Jeannette Sorrell, composer Jennifer Higdon, and conductor Marin Alsop.
