| Classical Seattle: Maestros, Impresarios, Virtuosi, and Other Music Makers Subjects: Musicians -- Washington (State) -- Seattle -- Biography; Composers -- Washington (State) -- Seattle -- Biography; Conductors (Music) -- Washington (State) -- Seattle -- Biography; Impresarios -- Washington (State) -- Seattle -- Biography; Music patrons --; The past 50 years have seen a tremendous arts boom in Seattle, which has given the city not only internationally recognized classical music institutions but also great performance halls to showcase their work and that of visiting artists. From Igor Stravinsky's presence as guest conductor at the World's Fair in 1962, to Speight Jenkins's masterly production of Wagner's Ring cycle, to the work of benefactors such as Jack and Becky Benaroya, Seattle is deservingly well known as a city of the musical arts. Melinda Bargreen , a Seattle-based writer and composer, was classical music critic for the Seattle Times from 1977 to 2008. She is the author of 50 Years of Seattle Opera . |