Born outside Paris, Nathalie Stutzman flourished in the two decades straddling Y2K as that rare bird, a true contralto, spinning out Bach and Handel and Schubert and Brahms in plummy tones of deep purple. The conducting portfolio she has built up in recent years includes steady appointments in Norway, Ireland, and Brazil, plus guest appearances with top symphonic ensembles—like this one in Philadelphia, on a program of end-to-end romantic rapture. For a testimonial, here’s Sir Simon Rattle: “Nathalie is the real thing. So much love, intensity, and sheer technique. We need more conductors like her.” —M.G.