Whenever the occasion presents itself, he wears the distinctive national costume of the region. Any man so manifestly proud of his roots has to command respect everywhere. A few grey hairs have appeared on the maestro's temples, but his blue eyes retain a boyish look and a smile comes easily to his lips. This brings to mind the conundrum of why, given that until now the great conductors have almost without exception been elderly gentlemen, so many astonishingly young ones have recently pushed their way into the front ranks. There's a kind of youth boom in progress in everything right now.
Stars can burn out very quickly.
I blame agents, who are only after money. It's easy to milk fat commissions from young people, effectively marketed talents. By then they are beginning to know their job. A conductor has to have the demeanour of a leader about him. That said, the maestro takes a deep breath, straightens his back and winks.