It took Robert Schumann just ten days to write his Ghost Variations ; it took 85 years for them to be published. He might have written them faster still had he not paused, on day nine, to throw his wedding ring, and then himself, into the Rhine. … » Read

Toronto’s Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra has named violinist Rachel Podger to the newly created post of principal guest director as of September 2024, for two years. She will lead three mainstage programs per season, including the … » Read

Keith Elder is to become the new president and CEO of the Grand Rapids Symphony as of July 1, 2023. He succeeds Mary Tuuk Kuras, who retired in December 2022; Chuck Frayer has been serving as interim.   Elder joins the Grand Rapids ensemble … » Read

TORONTO (AP)—Gordon Lightfoot, the folk singer-songwriter known for “If You Could Read My Mind” and “Sundown” and for songs that told tales of Canadian identity, died Monday. He was 84. Representative Victoria Lord … » Read

Richard “Gus” Sebring has officially taken over as principal horn of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, in which he has served as associate principal since 1982; he is also principal of the Boston Pops. He succeeds James Sommerville, who … » Read

Jherrard Hardeman , 25, is to be the new assistant conductor of the Rochester Philharmonic under Andreas Delfs, as well as music director of the Rochestra Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. He became assistant conductor of the Chicago Sinfonietta last … » Read

The 2023-24 season will mark Sir Antonio Pappano’s 23 rd and last season as music director at the Royal Opera House, after which he succeeds Sir Simon Rattle as chief conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra. Highlights of the 63-year-old … » Read

For over 40 years, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) has been an incubator for world-class conducting talent. Beginning with Simon Rattle in 1980 and continuing through Sakari Oramo, Andris Nelsons, and Mirga Gražinyte-Tyla, the … » Read

Devotees of Gaetano Donizetti will be able to celebrate the Italian composer’s 225 th birthday with upcoming performances of as many as 90 newly discovered songs. Credit Roger Parker, a professor of music at King’s College London and … » Read

NEW YORK (AP) — Harry Belafonte, the civil rights and entertainment giant who began as a groundbreaking actor and singer and became an activist, humanitarian, and conscience of the world, has died. He was 96. Belafonte died Tuesday of … » Read