6. Sara MingardoContralto

I went to a concert by the Orchestra Of The Age of Enlightenment playing mixed Baroque music, I didn’t know who she was but she came on and sang and it was just jaw-dropping. I didn’t even really know what a contralto was, but I discovered this album which I really think is just one of the most beautiful pieces of music and her voice is stunning. I’ve seen her live a couple more times. I was really lucky to see her at the Wigmore Hall with a really small ensemble. She swings, she has all her dreamy stuff that you want as a musician, that truthfulness and musicality. It was probably the first time that I really discovered a new form of music as an adult; she introduced me to a lot of Baroque music. It’s old music but it can feel really contemporary, and when it’s a performer like that and it’s not very operatic, but just a great voice it’s really moving. If you ever have the opportunity to see her, go.