Rising Stars

Three to look out for…

Alessandro Fisher Tenor

Born: London, UK Career highlight: As I’m at the beginning of my career, every opportunity feels like a highlight, particularly becoming a BBC New Generation Artist last year. There are some very exciting projects in the pipeline. Musical hero: Tenor Fritz Wunderlich’s interpretations of everything from lieder to Puccini were always so emotive and natural. He had an effortlessly beautiful voice. Dream concert: Hearing the BBC Philharmonic play Bruckner’s Symphony No. 7, attending the annual barbershop convention in the US or, as a performer, singing Schumann or Schubert.

Jess Dandy Contralto

Born: Cumbria, UK Career highlight: Performing ‘Le Spectre de la Rose’ from Berlioz’s Les nuits d’été with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and conductor Douglas Boyd in Saffron Walden. Musical hero: Everything JS Bach writes, however complex, never loses its connection to its simple fundamental subject. He always illuminates, never obscures.

Dream concert: While at the Guildhall, I worked at the Barbican Art Galleries. During quiet shifts, I rather naughtily used to hum in the Curve Gallery and discovered the acoustic to be an absolute treat. My dream would be to put on a one-woman sound exhibition of Hildegard von Bingen chant and free improvisation there.

Benjamin Goodson Conductor Born: London, UK

Career highlight: Conducting the Berlin Philharmonic for the first time was something I’ll never forget. It’s a wonderful, humbling experience to walk onto that stage where so many influential musicians have stood, and give your best offering alongside them.

Musical hero: Mariss Jansons conducts with profound musicianship, dedication and joy. Conducting can be a gruelling profession, but watching him reminds me why I started in the first place.

Dream concert: I recently conducted the Bach motets with Bach Camerata, my wonderful UK choir, at Wells Cathedral. It doesn’t get much better than that.