The Florida Orchestra, which prides itself on being the largest professional orchestra in the state, has signed a new, four-year contract with its 68 full-time musicians, effective Sept. 1 and dovetailing with the end of the current agreement. … » Read

Penelope Steiner, president of the Foundation that bears her and her late husband Robert’s name, has given $25 million, unrestricted, to the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Her Foundation reports revenues in 2023 of over $200 million, most of it … » Read

The New York Philharmonic marked the 100 th birthday of the late Pierre Boulez, the orchestra’s music director from 1971 to 1977, with the digital release of more than 13,000 pages of archival materials documenting his tenure. Personal … » Read

Wigmore Hall, one of the world’s most prestigious recital and chamber-music venues, celebrates its 125 th anniversary season in 2025-26, as John Gilhooly, OBE, launches his own 25 years there, first as director, now as both artistic and … » Read

Given the recent changes in Kennedy Center leadership, it is a relief to report that 2025-26 programming for two of its key constituents—the Washington National Opera (WNO) and the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO)—reflects … » Read

Opera Theatre of Saint Louis (OTSL) is under contract to purchase a 6.67-acre parcel of land in the Clayton community on which to build a new, state-of-the-art performing arts center. The property is currently owned by Caleres, a global footwear … » Read

Opera, the grandest of the performing arts, also produces the largest carbon footprint. Everything contributes: air travel for artists and staff, costume- and set-building, catering and food service, venue maintenance, audience transport, etc. … » Read

A U.S. district judge has said “Not so fast there” to the Trump administration’s plans to shutter Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). In a decision granting a temporary restraining order, Judge Royce C. Lamberth wrote, … » Read

The Cleveland Orchestra’s 108 th season, and Franz Welser-Möst’s 24 th as music director, runs September 2025 through May 2026 at Severance Music Center. He will mark his final, 25th season, in 2026-27. The Austrian conductor … » Read

In February Donald Trump named himself board chair of the Kennedy Center, declaring it his goal to make it “great again, a very special and exciting place.” What that means is anybody’s guess, including his own. His initial … » Read