Master Class with Carlo Ponti

Carlo Ponti returns to Festival Napa Valley to lead the Opening Night Concert on July 15. The celebrated conductor is known for taking audiences on musical journeys of unique interpretive depth. Ponti founded the Los Angeles Virtuosi Orchestra in 2013, an orchestra dedicated to the advocacy and support of music education. He has guest conducted many of the world’s leading orchestras, and has served as music director of the San Bernardino Symphony and associate conductor of the Russian National Orchestra.

Crescendo asked Ponti to share a bit about what he’s learned during his career, and about life in general.

If I could tell my younger self one thing it would be…
to always strive to be the best that you can be, and make no compromises in the pursuit of excellence.

Every day a conductor should…
remember that conducting is a privilege.

To master a challenging piece of music one should…
work, work, work!

When performing for an audience…
it is important to communicate to the orchestra, and thereby to the public, as clear an interpretation of the music as possible.

Of all the people I’ve met, I’ve learned the most from…
Maestro Mehli Mehta, the late father of Zubin Mehta.

He taught me the importance of using solfège [a vocal exercise] as a learning tool. To this day, “singing” the score remains for me an integral part of learning and assimilating a piece of music.

The best advice I’ve ever received is…
be calm, level-headed, and trust the art and artists.

My greatest joy is…
taking pride in those I love.

My biggest regret is…
not having time to learn all the great music the world has to offer!