SPOLETO -- When heavenly voices suddenly sound out from above as you walk the steep narrow streets of the medieval hilltown of Spoleto in central Italy, you wonder whether your time has come. Is it a host of angels? No, it's the Children's … » Read

NEW YORK – In what one observer wryly characterized as “bad circus karma,” Cirque Plume, the French circus troupe scheduled to perform during the current Lincoln Center Festival, has cancelled last night and tonight’s performances, due to injuries … » Read

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Napster plans to appeal a crushing decision handed down by a federal judge that the company remain off-line until it can perfect its song-swapping system. U.S. District Judge Marilyn Hall Patel shot down the notion that … » Read

NEW YORK – BMG Entertainment has announced the appointment of David Weyner as executive vice president and general manager of the “newly formed” RCA Victor Group, which the company identifies as “music [that] bridges a diverse musical spectrum … » Read

BERLIN -- Round Two in the current match of Daniel Barenboim vs. Israel's Wagnerphobes quoted the Berliner Morgenpost as saying: "In Israel's newspapers yesterday [July 9] not one voice justified or welcomed the step taken by Barenboim." Round … » Read

PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Symphony’s upcoming tour of South America will likely be its last, according to a report in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Logistical and financial issues have plagued the long months of planning. "This tour was promised … » Read

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- A free concert of Mozart, Bach, and Beethoven is being played 24 hours a day on a blighted street corner, not to enlighten the masses but to reduce crime. Police say drug deals, shootings, and thefts have dropped … » Read

CINCINNATI – Despite generations of serving artists from Igor Stravinsky to Liberace, America's largest piano maker is in federal bankruptcy court. The reasons behind the tough times at Baldwin Piano & Organ Co. are very much in dispute, however. … » Read

BERLIN -- Round 2 in the current match of Daniel Barenboim vs. Israel's Wagnerphobes takes the form here of rounding up opinions both Israeli and German, both pro and con, in the German media today, but only one quotation really zeroes in on le … » Read

GUANGZHOU, China -- English comprehension among the musicians of the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra is minimal, but this morning’s guest conductor Klaus Weise has little trouble making his displeasure understood. Rehearsing onstage at the city’s … » Read