Rising Stars

Three to look out for…

Noa Wildschut violinist

Born: Hilversum, Netherlands

Career highlight: Performing at the National Liberation Concert – an open-air concert on an Amsterdam canal to celebrate freedom – live on national TV in front of the Dutch King and Queen. Plus a smaller and more intimate moment: making music with the kids from the favelas in Brazil and Ecuador. Musical hero: Violinist Janine Jansen is a source of inspiration, as both a musician and a human, as are my past and present teachers Vera Beths and Antje Weithaas.

Dream concert: My dream concert will become a reality this summer: playing on the Galápagos Islands, making beautiful music dedicated to nature and conservation.

Theo Parry Baritone

Born: Aylesbury, UK Career highlight: As well as winning the Trinity Laban Gold Medal, the opportunity to sing works by female composers for International Women’s Day 2019 – including a wonderful song by Errollyn Wallen – live on BBC Radio 3 was a particular highlight. Musical hero: Baritone Roderick Williams, whose artistry and sensitivity as a performer is amazing, plus the conductor Bernard Haitink and the baritone Dietrich Fischerdieskau, the first classical singer I listened to. Dream concert: Performing one of Schubert’s three song cycles, particularly Winterreise, at Wigmore Hall.

Stef Conner Composer

Born: London, UK

Career highlight: Perhaps the most important moments were the private ones: the day I was introduced to Coltrane’s A Love Supreme, or the times I feel something ‘click’ while playing with musicians I admire. Musical hero: Vaughan Williams was passionate about breaking down barriers in music, respecting folk and concert traditions alike and making music wholly accessible. I think you can hear that warmth, openmindedness and compassion in his work. Dream concert: I’d travel back to ancient Mesopotamia to hear one of the huge processions of musicians depicted on Assyrian wall paintings, with harps, double pipes, drums and singing.