Start the week by catching up with some of the exciting and GOOD news!!
San Francisco Opera has staged its first work by a woman composer, El último sueño de Frida y Diego by Gabriela Lena Frank and (librettist) Nilo Cruz. Also the first production of a work in Spanish, the opera was premiered last fall by San Diego Opera, and moves on to other performances, including, (in the 2024-25 season) the Met in New York!
Conductor JoAnn Falletta has won the 2023 Eroica Award for Outstanding Service to Music, given by MOLA, an international professional association of more than 450 orchestral librarians who acquire, prepare, and maintain music for their institutions. The award is given to someone who inspires MOLA with “their advocacy for the art form, artistic excellence, and/or leadership. MOLA encourages nominations for those who champion underrepresented works or composers, mentor young musicians, bridge communities, or break new ground.” Falletta was music director of The Women’s Philharmonic, 1986–1997, as well being a leader in programming and conducting works by BIPOC (Black and Indigenous people of color) composers, and mentoring women conductors. Gracious in her acceptance, Falletta praises the music librarians as “the true heroes.” Read the press release here.
Conductor JoAnn Falletta
An engaging interview with Falletta in the San Francisco Classical Voice (with journalist Lisa Hirsch) emphasizes the importance of her time with The Women’s Philharmonic.
A great idea on Facebook: a competition for violin students offers prizes of gear and supplies from Larsen Strings and Gewa Strings – to enter, students must submit a recording of themselves playing a piece by a WOMAN COMPOSER!
Be sure to let us know what you are listening to and looking forward to! [email protected]