What do you think?
Rate this book
My Life in Music
Sir Antonio Pappano is one of the best known and most celebrated conductors alive today. His deeply held belief in the power of music to inspire and enlighten is the motivation behind this long anticipated memoir.
In 1969, decades before he was chosen to conduct the music at the Coronation of King Charles, Sir Antonio Pappano was a ten-year-old boy accompanying his father's singing lessons. My Life in Music tells the moving tale of a legendary conductor who, nurtured in childhood by his parents and their dedicated work ethic, goes on to conduct at many of the most influential opera houses of Europe and North America. Pappano skilfully evokes an extensive selection from his wide-ranging repertoire - operas and orchestral works spanning from Mozart to Birtwistle and Mark Anthony Turnage, as well as art song and chamber music works in which he has performed as a pianist - and makes a compelling case for the potential classical music has to captivate new and wider audiences.
In 1969, decades before he was chosen to conduct the music at the Coronation of King Charles, Sir Antonio Pappano was a ten-year-old boy accompanying his father's singing lessons. My Life in Music tells the moving tale of a legendary conductor who, nurtured in childhood by his parents and their dedicated work ethic, goes on to conduct at many of the most influential opera houses of Europe and North America. Pappano skilfully evokes an extensive selection from his wide-ranging repertoire - operas and orchestral works spanning from Mozart to Birtwistle and Mark Anthony Turnage, as well as art song and chamber music works in which he has performed as a pianist - and makes a compelling case for the potential classical music has to captivate new and wider audiences.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published June 6, 2024
1 person is currently reading
13 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 7, 2024
Sir Antonio Pappano retells his upbringing, his musical training. He actually did not go to a conservatoire for music studies! Pappano's early career, including his first music director job at Oslo. He highlighted a few key productions where he was music director at Oslo, La Monnaie, ROH; the key recording projects - Massenet's Manon, Verdi's Aida, Puccini's Madama Butterfly; his times with Santa Cecilia in Rome. The Maestro also invited the readers to delve into the joys and challenges of conducting in an opera production - working and collaborating with the stage directors, singers (coaching, figuring out each singers' strengths) and the opera house staff.
I recognised a few productions that Pappano mentioned in the book because I was lucky enough to attend those performances! The Semiramide starring Joyce DiDonato (2017), Robert Carsen's Aida (2022), Adele Thomas' Il Trovatore (2023) and Wozzeck starring Christian Gerhaher(2023).
I enjoyed the down to earth writing style, not pretentious at all. I could feel the joy and passion of Pappano in music making with other brilliant artists. That chapter of Verdi's Requiem musical analysis did take me out because I did not expect a full chapter in-depth analysis.
Now I'm excited to see what Pappano brings to London Symphony Orchestra as their new music director, and what Jakub Hrůša, the new music director of The Royal Opera, programmes for the house!
I recognised a few productions that Pappano mentioned in the book because I was lucky enough to attend those performances! The Semiramide starring Joyce DiDonato (2017), Robert Carsen's Aida (2022), Adele Thomas' Il Trovatore (2023) and Wozzeck starring Christian Gerhaher(2023).
I enjoyed the down to earth writing style, not pretentious at all. I could feel the joy and passion of Pappano in music making with other brilliant artists. That chapter of Verdi's Requiem musical analysis did take me out because I did not expect a full chapter in-depth analysis.
Now I'm excited to see what Pappano brings to London Symphony Orchestra as their new music director, and what Jakub Hrůša, the new music director of The Royal Opera, programmes for the house!
August 9, 2024
An inspiring memoir from the maestro, charting how with talent, a strong work ethic and great nurturing by parents, irrespective of economic or educational background, he has been able to choose a life in music.
There are fascinating insights of the challenges faced by a new conductor, rehearsing and performing with a symphony orchestra for the first time or, taking on the reins of an opera house. I particularly liked Pappano's encouragement to audiences to open their ears and eyes to new works and non-traditional stagings, and honesty that some production elements don't always work.
Pappano also reflects on the state of arts in the country. He has a rallying cry for government, to keep arts alive, reward excellence and nurture talent. And as a true maestro, he is leading by example coaching and teaching young musicians and singers.
There are fascinating insights of the challenges faced by a new conductor, rehearsing and performing with a symphony orchestra for the first time or, taking on the reins of an opera house. I particularly liked Pappano's encouragement to audiences to open their ears and eyes to new works and non-traditional stagings, and honesty that some production elements don't always work.
Pappano also reflects on the state of arts in the country. He has a rallying cry for government, to keep arts alive, reward excellence and nurture talent. And as a true maestro, he is leading by example coaching and teaching young musicians and singers.
August 3, 2024
An inspiring and interesting read. Pappano takes us back through his life, from starting out as an accompanist for his father's singing studio, to leading one of the world's most famous opera houses. His tone is down to earth and refreshingly unhaughty as he traces an illustrious career with all its highs and lows. I especially enjoyed his notes on Verdi Requiem and his musings on various subjects such as modern opera audiences and Mozart's operas.
February 15, 2025
A brave and inspiring biography. I followed Sir Antonio Pappano's career for years and even had the privilege to see him conduct. He commands the orchestra with the same ease he commands the words on the page. I hope another memoir is coming.
August 3, 2025
Essential for music and opera lovers, great detail on the works he has conductors and essential insights into the maestro’s mind and work ethic.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews