In Wednesday’s (6/26) Guardian (London), Laura Barnett talks to conductor William Christie, founder and artistic director of the ensemble Les Arts Florissants. Asked how classical music can appeal to younger audiences, Christie remarks, “We have halls that are rather stiff, rigid and orthodox in their repertoire: we should pay more attention to the lighter, less daunting stuff. It’s also about how people can get into halls without paying immense amounts of money. This bothers me terribly: with my own festival in France, in the garden of my house in the Vendee, I’ve kept ticket prices to just 18 euros.” The greatest myth about conductors, he says, is “that we’re Tarzans or lion-tamers. There are times when you need to take an orchestra, who really are lions in their den, and whip them into shape. But a conductor is not always indispensable. Then there’s the idea that the more a conductor waves his arms around, the better he is. That’s complete crap.” As for how he would like to be remembered, Christie responds, “How about: ‘Here’s Christie, who never harmed anybody, and who’s created some good for the world—or at least given some people some solace, hope or enjoyment.’ ”
Posted June 27, 2013
