In Friday’s (5/16) Belfast Telegraph (Northern Ireland), Alf McCreary writes that JoAnn Falletta, “the first woman conductor of the Ulster Orchestra, is bowing out after three years in the role with a final concert at the Ulster Hall. Falletta was also the first American to anchor the orchestra, and said she was leaving with many fond memories. She said she fell in love with the warmth of the people in Belfast and the local sense of humour. Ms Falletta said: ‘Without exception, I have found the people helpful and friendly. … That’s what I call real hospitality.’ … During her three years she made several recordings with the Naxos label, which has brought the Ulster Orchestra’s performances to a bigger U.S. audience. She also introduced a wide range of American music to the orchestra’s repertoire, and her last concert will feature the music of the legendary Leonard Bernstein, who was one of her teachers in New York.” In the U.S., Falletta is music director of the Buffalo Philharmonic and Virginia Symphony orchestras.
Posted May 19, 2014
