Classical Preview: Blonde ambition backed with talent takes soloist to top of her profession

It may seem that you have a lot going for you if you are tall, blonde and an extremely attractive young woman, but what if you are working in a male-dominated world?
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Jan 2010, 10:15 BST
Updated 15th Jan 2010, 10:16 BST

"Once the novelty value has worn off, you just have to prove your worth like anyone else," replies Alison Balsom, one of today's leading trumpet virtuosos, and the soloist in next Friday's concert at Sheffield's City Hall.

The first British winner of the Female Artist of the Year in the Classical Brit Awards, has travelled a long way from the days when her ambition was simply to play cornet in the local brass band.

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Last year also marked her debut in the Last night of the Proms at London's Royal Albert Hall, with a record global television audience of around 150 million viewers.

Later this year comes her eagerly anticipated album of Italian Concertos the latest in a critically acclaimed series.

After studying at London's Junior Guildhall School of Music, her final years were spent at the Paris Conservatoire. "I really always knew I wanted to be a soloist, preferably in the concerto world, and I had the good fortune of being taken on by the Young Artists Concert Trust," she says

With the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra she performs the demanding Epicleses, a trumpet concerto by James MacMillan. The concert, conducted by Edward Garden, also features items by Vaughan Williams, Britten and concludes with Elgar's Enigma Variations.

n Alison Balsom, Sheffield City Hall, Jan 22, 7pm. 0114 2789789.

Related topics:LondonCity HallSheffield