The Metropolitan Opera’s HD Live in Schools program is going online exclusively for the 2020–21 school year. Approximately 15,000 students in 56 school districts across 42 states will participate in the program, which is entering its … » Read

The impact of COVID-19 on ticket sales for the performing arts is getting worse. That is the finding of a new monthly study—the September “COVID-19 Sector Benchmark Insight Report”—by TRG Arts, international arts … » Read

The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago has canceled its entire 2020-21 season at the Lyric Opera House. The decision will cost the troupe over $9 million at the box office. At the same time, the company will make available plenty of online material, with … » Read

To cope with what is increasingly looking like a universally dark and/or streamed 2020-21 season, many orchestras are outlining new terms with their musicians that will enable both sides to continue working but at reduced circumstances. These … » Read

While most American symphony orchestras are challenged in their attempts to build diverse audiences, staffs, and boards, the Chicago Sinfonietta is the exception that proves the rule. In 1987 the late conductor and activist Paul Freeman , founded … » Read

The Save Our Stages Act, which was  given a “kick in the gut” when Congress adjourned on August 13 without considering it, is part of the Heroes Act, which has been  gridlocked in Congress for several months. As of September … » Read

Breaking 84 years of tradition, American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) has for the first time ever endorsed a presidential candidate. At the urging of the (unaffiliated) Soloists Coalition , not to mention its national membership, AGMA on … » Read

Following the Second World War, many Jewish families had few possessions to remind them of their previous life. Among those reminders most highly valued were violins that had belonged to klezmer musicians, orchestra members, and wealthy families … » Read

Already reeling from the financial impact of the pandemic, Opera Australia (OA) took a next step in its efforts to reduce expenses, disclosing that 16 orchestra musicians have been made redundant (i.e., fired) and another 13 vacancies would … » Read

Musicians of the Minnesota Orchestra have signed a two-year extension of their current contract, now set to run through August 31, 2022. Perhaps most importantly, they and the administration have come up with a side letter to the agreement, which … » Read