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Sex isn't what sells classical music, Nicola Benedetti says
Women in classical music are not successful because of their looks, Nicola Benedetti says, as she admits the idea that 'sex sells' "really p----- me off"
The success of women in classical music is nothing to do with their looks, the violinist Nicola Benedetti has argued, as she reveals her frustration at being told “sex sells”.
Benedetti, who won BBC young musician of the year ten years ago and has since performed across the globe, said hearing people attribute the success of women to their appearance “really p----- me off”.
Conceding the world of classical music still “lags behind” when it comes to female conductors, she insisted sexism is a worldwide problem not specific to her industry.
Benedetti, who is performing in a live Radio 3 concert on Sunday, told the Radio Times she could now name more top female violinists than male.
When asked whether women get a “raw deal” in classical music, she said:“If women have long enough to gain authority, experience and expertise, they’ll excel in any profession.
“Sixty years ago the world’s top violinists were overwhelmingly male. Today, we have Julia Fischer, Janine Jansen, Lisa Batiashvili, Vilde Frang, Anne-Sophie Mutter, Alina Ibragimova... in fact I could possibly list more top female violinists than males.
“And it really p---es me off when people attribute their rise to the ‘sex sells classical music’ thing.
“Sexism is a worldwide problem, but I think that classical music can be prouder of its integrity than many industries.
“People are basically chosen for their ability – though I concede that we still lag behind when it comes to conductors.”
In June last year, Woman’s Hour presenter Dame Jenni Murray named Benedetti as she claimed even women who have “made it” in classical music have been subjected to a “pretty tough time”.
“The women who seem to be most welcome are the ones who are prepared to go along with the old idea that sex sells,” she said at the time.
"Look at the way the violinist Nicola Benedetti and trumpeter Alison Balsom are marketed."
It is not the first time Benedetti has spoken out about the issue of sexism and marketing in classical music.
Appearing on Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs recently, she told Kirsty Young she did not see the point in agreeing to “provocative” photoshoots, adding: “Classical music isn’t supposed to be sexy.”
In an interview with the Telegraph in August, she added: “These discussions aren’t exclusive to classical music. I think it’s yet another sexism debate, a sex-sells debate – nothing new.”