Thursday, October 10, 2019

Violinist Joshua Bell marries opera singer Larisa Martínez...

... in New York home ceremony

Joshua Bell and Larisa Martínez
Joshua Bell and Larisa Martínez. Picture: IG: Larisa Martinez
By Helena Asprou, ClassicFM
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Classical music power couple, Joshua Bell and Larisa Martínez, have just tied the knot – here’s everything you need to know.
It has just been announced that violinist and conductorJoshua Bell, and opera singer, Larisa Martínez, were married in their New York home last Saturday.
officiated by New York Times columnist David Brooks, the ceremony is a happy milestone for the classical music power couple – who over the years, have won multiple awards between them.
Born and raised in Bloomington, Indiana, Bell fell in love with music at an early age after hearing his mother play the piano and he soon developed an interest in the violin.
When he turned five, they began teaching him how to play the strings and by age 14, he appeared as a soloist with the Philadelphia Orchestra.
Bell studied under Indiana University professor Josef Gingold and in 1985, made his Carnegie Hall debut aged 17 with the St. Louis Symphony. Since then, he has performed with some of the greatest classical orchestras and conductors in the world.
In 1993, the gifted virtuoso won a Grammy Award for his beautiful recording of Nicholas Maw’s violin concerto, and in 2000, he was honoured as an Indiana Living Legend for his contribution to the state.
Joshua Bell
Joshua Bell. Picture: Getty
His wife, talented soprano Larisa Martínez, is an opera singer and often praised for her warm voice and unique timbre.
In 2010, Martínez made her operatic debut as Luisa Fernanda in the zarzuela – a Spanish traditional form of musical comedy, at the Centro de Bellas Artes de Puerto Rico.
In the years that followed, she quickly rose to fame after singing as Corinna in Rossini’Il Viaggio a Reims, Musetta in Loft Opera’s 2014 production of Puccini’s La Bohème, and Isaura in the 2016 world premiere of Mercadante’s Francesca da Rimini.

Martínez, who has a masters degree in music from Mannes the New School for Music in New York City, is a winner of the Angel Ramos Foundation Award and the Metropolitan Opera National Council Audition PR district 2016.
She also collaborated with Joshua Bell on Medici TV’s Christmas Special, Joshua Bell and Friends.
Congratulations, Joshua and Larisa!

Classic FM Live 2019 at the Royal Albert Hall in pictures

 – with Gareth Malone and Isata Kanneh-Mason


Classic FM Live 2019
Classic FM Live 2019. Picture: PA / Matt Crossick
It’s that exciting time of the year again – Classic FM Live 2019 took place at the Royal Albert Hall last night!
Featuring standout performances from choirmaster Gareth Malone, and pianists Isata Kanneh-Mason and Benjamin Grosvenor, there’s a whole host of artists for the audience to enjoy.
We’ll be adding to the gallery during the night, but here are all the highlights from Classic FM Live so far...
  1. Rehearsals are in full swing...

    Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and Chorus rehearse ahead of Classic FM Live 2019
    Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and Chorus rehearse ahead of Classic FM Live 2019. Picture: Classic FM
  2. We’re joined by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and Chorus

    Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and Chorus
    Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. Picture: PA
  3. Margherita Taylor and John Suchet present Classic FM Live 2019!

    Margherita Taylor and John Suchet present Classic FM Live 2019
    Margherita Taylor and John Suchet present Classic FM Live 2019. Picture: PA / Matt Crossick
  4. Debbie Wiseman conducts the ‘Decca Anthem’, in celebration of the record label’s 90th anniversary

    Debbie Wiseman conducts the ‘Decca Anthem’, in celebration of the record label’s 90th anniversary
    Picture: PA / Matt Crossick
  5. Stephen Barlow conducts the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and Chorus

    Stephen Barlow
    Picture: PA / Matt Crossick
  6. Choirmaster Gareth Malone conducts ‘Wherever You Are’, performed beautifully by soloist Sara Brimer Davey

    Choirmaster Gareth Malone conducts ‘Wherever You Are’, sung by Sara Brimer Davey
    Picture: PA / Matt Crossick
  7. Tonight’s concert hall, in all its glory

    Royal Albert Hall
    Picture: PA / Matt Crossick
  8. Views from the back of the stalls...

    Royal Albert Hall
    Picture: PA / Matt Crossick
  9. Star pianist Benjamin Grosvenor performs Gershwin’s ‘Rhapsody in Blue’

    Pianist Benjamin Grosvenor performs at Classic FM Live 2019
    Pianist Benjamin Grosvenor performs at Classic FM Live 2019. Picture: PA / Matt Crossick
  10. Surprise guest, Colin Thackery, performs ‘I vow to thee my country’

    Britain's Got Talent winner, Colin Thackery, is a surprise guest on Classic FM Live 2019
    Britain's Got Talent winner, Colin Thackery, is a surprise guest on Classic FM Live 2019. Picture: PA / Matt Crossick
  11. Isata Kanneh-Mason performs stunning Chopin

    Pianist Isata-Kanneh Mason performs at Classic FM Live 2019
    Pianist Isata-Kanneh Mason performs at Classic FM Live 2019. Picture: PA / Matt Crossick
  12. Pyrotechnics round off Classic FM Live 2019 with a bang!

    Classic FM Live 2019 fireworks finale at the Royal Albert Hall
    Classic FM Live 2019 fireworks finale at the Royal Albert Hall. Picture: PA / Matt Crossick