Abducted Belarus opposition chief is classical musician
mainDetails are emerging of the background of Maria Kolesnikova, a member of the three-person council that is coordinating protests aimed at toppling the Belarus dictatorship.
It is reported that Kolesnikova taught flute from age 17 at a school in Minsk while playing the National Academic Concert Orchestra. She studied flute and conducting at the Belarus State Academy of Music. At 25 she enlisted at the state conservatoire in Stuttgart to study period instruments, completing maters’ degrees in early music and contemporary music in 2012.
Early today she was kidnapped by armed and masked men in the centre of Minsk.
Good for Mr. Lebrecht for bringing this to the attention of the classical music community so quickly. The more international attention which is focused on her the better. It improves the chances of her being returned soon & safely.
I could have used this to listen to the Proms this year.