Artists
Cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason on the music that shaped him
The brilliant cellist guides us through the classical music that has guided and defined his career so far
Famous trumpet players: 5 of the most influential trumpeters from the modern era
From Wynton Marsalis to Håkan Hardenberger, we look at 5 leading trumpeters from modern times
Angela Gheorghiu interview: the challenges and delights of Puccini – and the one role she'll never sing
Angela Gheorghiu reflects on a lifetime dedicated to the music of the great composer, Giacomo Puccini, and why there is one Puccini role she's avoided throughout her career
Who was Maria Callas, the great operatic soprano?
Her voice may have divided audiences, but the Greek soprano Maria Callas never failed to compel with powerfully vivid performances. Michael Tanner explores the life and career of arguably the greatest opera singer ever
The most famous French singers of all time
From Charles Aznavour to Sandrine Piau, we profile ten of the best and most famous French singers of all time
Who was Kathleen Ferrier, Britain's greatest contralto?
From entering a competition as a bet, Kathleen Ferrier became one of Britain’s foremost singers in the mid-20th century. Fiona Clampin takes a look at her life and asks why, since Ferrier's death, have contraltos fallen out of fashion?
Otto Klemperer: a life filled with drama, from mental health battles to becoming an internationally renowned conductor
For many, conductor Otto Klemperer will be remembered as the steady and reliable champion of classic repertoire, but in his youth the German was a dashing advocate of the new, writes Andrew Green
The greatest virtuosos of all time
The BBC Music Magazine team chooses the virtuosos from history they would love to have seen perform
Best child piano prodigies of all time
From Mozart to Lang Lang, we celebrate musicians who displayed a phenomenal gift for piano playing from their early childhood
Martha Argerich: the pianist's best recordings
Argentinian pianist Martha Argerich is known for being as versatile as she is charismatic in her approach to music, with recordings of concertos and chamber music spanning centuries and vastly different compositional styles. Here, we name some of the greatest performances of Argerich on disc
Jakub Józef Orliński: the breakdancing countertenor who has graced Vogue covers –and the world's biggest opera stages
Star countertenor, breakdancer and model Jakub Józef Orliński enjoys a challenge – and he’s now applying his boundless commitment and energy to the role of artistic director on his new recording of Gluck’s Orfeo, as he tells Rebecca Franks
Nicola Stame: the Italian tenor and war hero who fought fascism and was murdered by the Nazis
Opera tenor Nicola Ugo Stame took on many roles – but proved himself a true hero during World War II in his defiance against fascism, says Christopher Gillett
Ada Lovelace: how the maths genius saw the future of music
The 19th-century mathematician and musician Ada Lovelace was the first to spot computers’ creative potential. David De Roure tells her intriguing story and explores the impact of her legacy
The most successful BBC Young Musician runners-up: what happens when you don't win?
We investigate the fates of previous BBC Young Musician runners-up. Does it matter if you don't win? Seemingly not...
Ludovico Einaudi: why does the musical phenomenon still struggle to find acceptance in the classical music world?
His fans may run into the millions but, the pianist and composer Ludovico Einaudi tells Claire Jackson, his style of writing will always struggle to find total acceptance within the classical music world
11 greatest Welsh opera singers of all time
Wales has produced some of the finest voices of all time. Here's our guide to some of the best Welsh opera singers from history, some of whom are still performing today
Who is Ludovico Einaudi?
Michael Beek explores the life and work of composer and pianist, Ludovico Einaudi, and shares his top recordings
Who is Dave Arch, the conductor for BBC's Strictly Come Dancing?
An introduction to the talented musician Dave Arch, who conducts Strictly's in-house orchestra in a host of music including tango, foxtrot, jive and much more
Lise Davidsen: the Norwegian opera star and great Wagnerian soprano
The Norwegian lyric soprano has dominated the world's opera stages thanks to her multi-hued voice and mastery of the roles of Wagner.
10 best opera singers of all time: are these the greatest ever?
From stunning sopranos to terrifying tenors, we've rounded up the star divas of history and the singers still taking the opera stages by storm. Here's our list of the greatest opera singers in history
Luciano Pavarotti: a guide to the life and times of the world's most famous opera singer
Luciano Pavarotti was one of classical music's biggest stars. We remember the tenor who famously ‘couldn’t act for toffee’, but brought opera to an audience of millions
The best female conductors
From dynamic orchestral conductors to inspiring choral leaders, here are the best female conductors working today
Aigul Akhmetshina: from an isolated village in the Ural Mountains to the Met Opera stage as the youngest ever Carmen
At just 27, Aigul Akhmetshina became the youngest artist ever to take on the role of Bizet's Carmen at both the Royal Opera House and the Metropolitan Opera
Memories of Leonard Bernstein: a showman and musical visionary with a car number plate you couldn't miss
Conductor Grant Llewellyn shares a personal snapshot of what life, rehearsals and music were like with the legendary composer and conductor, Leonard Bernstein