The 2008 TIME 100

Peter Gelb is a revolutionary and a visionary in the field of classical music. In the two years he has been general manager of the Metropolitan Opera, he has changed the way people perceive, access and regard opera. Peter's dedication to making opera more theatrical and exciting, as well as to bringing it to a much wider and more diverse audience, has made it a more vibrant art form in America and internationally. His groundbreaking initiatives, most notably the live high-definition broadcasts to movie theaters worldwide, have been an enormous success. However, what I find most impressive is that Peter has implemented these new and exciting programs while also elevating the art of great singing.

Peter's innovative work at the Met comes as little surprise to the people who have followed his career. He began by working there as an usher in his teens, and by his mid-20s he was managing the career of the legendary Vladimir Horowitz. This inspired him to become a producer of live events, TV broadcasts and video recordings, which led to his appointment as the head of the Sony Classical record label.

Now, at 54, Peter continues to challenge the status quo and transform the world of opera. He has reinvigorated the art form at a most crucial time, and his contributions to classical music are as great as those of any maestro or diva. Bravo, Peter!

Netrebko is a world-renowned Russian soprano and a 2007 TIME 100 honoree