By Barry Lenson We find it reassuring that young Americans are still deciding to become composers. It is more wonderful still that at least one of these younger Americans, Jennifer Higdon, is composing works that […]
Nabil Shehata has just taken over the artistic direction of the Barenboim-Said Akademie Orchestra. He’s a former principal bass in the Berlin Philharmonic. Barenboim said: ‘I am very happy and grateful that Nabil Shehata has […]
Message received: On January 17, Mary O’Reilly, who was the first violinist in our orchestra from 1988 to 2003, died. Mary O’Reilly was born in Irvington, New Jersey, and her musical journey took her to […]
The Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía in Valencia has named Sir Mark Elder as its music director, from September. Elder, 77, stepped down last year after quarter of a century as head of the […]
It’s reported that the board of Toulon Opera voted yeserday to dismiss its permanent chorus. Twenty-five singers will lose their jobs. Economic circumstances are given as the reason. The opera house is presently under renovation. […]
The much-loved Spanish conductor Juanjo Mena has taken to social media to share some bad health news. He has been diagnosed with Alzherimers Disease, but continues to feel well in himself and will carry on […]
The Royal Opera has moved swiftly to replace Lise Davidsen, who’s having twins, with a home-grown soprano of great potential. The role of Sieglinde in Die Walküre in May will be performed by Natalya Romaniw, […]
Friends of Lise Davidsen are delighted to learn that she is pregnant… and with twins. She has cancelled all performances this uear after Fidelio at the Metropolitan Opera. Every major opera house and festival is […]
The audience at Crail Church at the East Neuk Festival, 2024 (Photo: Neil Hanna) The 20th East Neuk Festival will fill some of East Fife’s most stunning seaside locations with line-up of classical, jazz, folk, and […]
Senesino by John Vandenbank. Private Collection, UK. © The Handel House Trust/Christopher Ison. It is 300 years since Handel first wrote and presented Rodelinda, the second of three masterpieces that he wrote just after moving […]
