SPOLETO, Italy (AP) -- He got a hug from big Luciano, thanks from the stars, and lots of applause from the public. It seemed only fitting that some of the world's most famous voices would turn up in Spoleto to help celebrate the 90th birthday of … » Read

HAVANA (AP) -- Leonard Bernstein was a 23-year-old vacationing in Key West, Fla., a half century ago when he first heard scratchy Cuban rhythms from a radio that was picking up a station on the island to the south. ``He was infatuated with the … » Read

A Website called the Mutopia Project offers free copies of over 90 classical works whose copyrights have run out. Download “Für Elise” at no charge! One of the software’s creators tells USA Today that he wishes he could include more recent … » Read

GÜTERSLOH, Germany -- Hot on the heels of Norman Lebrecht’s claim [posted on MusicalAmerica.com yesterday] that “BMG has halted classical output and may shut it down altogether,” comes news that the company is planning massive layoffs worldwide, … » Read

LONDON – Norman Lebrecht is predicting doom and gloom (again) for the classical recording industry. In addition to citing Tower Records’ near bankruptcy as the probable final nail in the coffin, he points out that “BMG has halted classical output … » Read

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) -- Napster's song sharing service went dark Monday as the company continued to upgrade the network in preparation for advanced music-identification tools and the pending launch of a revamped, fee-based system. "File transfers … » Read

NEW YORK (AP) -- The Richard Rodgers Centennial is one year away, but festivities honoring the legendary theater composer's sweetest sounds begin this fall and will continue into 2002 and beyond. ``We are here at the downbeat of the overture on … » Read

LONDON – In a wide-ranging interview, stage director David McVicar talks about working conditions at the Kirov Opera, where he staged the production of “Macbeth” that comes to Covent Garden next week. “It's incredibly hard working there,” he tells … » Read

BERLIN -- Okay, so Vienna does have its traditional frothy New Year's Day concert by its beloved old Philharmonic, entrusted each year to a different conductor chosen by the Philharmoniker themselves as a special accolade. Well, Vienna's … » Read

MIAMI – Another performing arts center has gotten the green light. This one will cost $255 million – not including $24 million in contingency monies – and be home to the Concert Association of Florida, the New World Symphony, … » Read