“A conductor with international acclaim will take her first leadership role in North America on July 1 as the first female musical director of the Richmond Symphony,” writes Katherine Calos in Tuesday’s (4/7) Richmond Times-Dispatch (VA). “Valentina Peleggi brings experience from her native Italy, from London and Brazil, along with a connection to Richmond. Her mentor, Marin Alsop, began a highly successful professional career as associate conductor of the Richmond Symphony in 1988…. Peleggi, 37, auditioned with the symphony on March 7…. David Fisk, executive director of the symphony, said, ‘Valentina blew the orchestra away.’ … Peleggi was similarly ecstatic about Richmond and its musicians…. She will conduct eight weeks of concerts in the 2020/21 season…. Peleggi has led orchestras from around the world, including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Orchestra of Wales, Norrkoping Symphony (Sweden), Orchestra della Toscana and Baltimore Symphony Orchestra…. She … previously served as resident conductor of the São Paulo Symphony Orchestra…. Peleggi’s scheduled weeks in Richmond last month were cut short by the coronavirus pandemic.… ‘I’m thinking this is the time for us to really start listening…. When we are finally back to our music, I’m sure we will approach sound in a different way,’ Peleggi said.”
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