Writing with refreshing passion, and with her own personal story at its heart, Alice Farnham sets out to explore what it means to be a conductor in modern times. Uniquely, she draws on a wealth of insights from fellow conductors, each with their own perspectives and specialisms - from luminaries such as Antonio Pappano and Jane Glover, to a new generation making their own distinctive mark on the profession.

This is not a guide on how to conduct: for music lovers and music makers, not least aspiring conductors, it's a frank, fascinating portrait of what conducting really entails today. Beyond that, it's a book about leadership, full of timely sentiment on who gets to lead, and what it takes to unite and inspire people.

'A book that will fascinate and enthral anyone interested in music. Alice Farnham's enchanting blend of insight, experience, musical understanding, sparkling good sense and intelligence brings alive and demystifies what it is to be a conductor.'

Stephen Fry

'Alice Farnham's insightful book is an inspirational tool, even for those of different disciplines.' CATE BLANCHETT

About the Author
Alice Farnham is Artistic Director of Women Conductors with the Royal Philharmonic Society and National Concert Hall Dublin Female Conductor Programme. Recent engagements include concerts with the Philharmonia Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra, and Southbank Sinfonia. She has been a Guest Conductor on productions at Royal Opera House, Mariinsky Theatre, Calgary Opera, Folkoperan Stockholm, Wermlands Opera Karlstad, Singapore Lyric Opera, and Teatru Manoel Valetta. She was Music Director for award-winning productions at Welsh National Youth Opera and returned for Shostakovich's Cheryomushki in 2022. Alice has conducted much of the standard ballet repertoire with companies including the Royal Ballet Covent Garden, Birmingham Royal Ballet, and Danish Royal Ballet.


Book Information
ISBN 9780571370504
Author Alice Farnham
Format Hardback
Page Count 320
Imprint Faber & Faber
Publisher Faber & Faber
Weight(grams) 429g
Dimensions(mm) 216mm * 135mm * 22mm