Pianist Lara Downes is on a mission to fashion a more inclusive future for American classical music by incorporating composers of color and acknowledging the genre’s diverse origins. Working with the producer Adam Abeshouse, she has … » Read

Elton John is adamant that the U.K.’s Brexit negotiators have screwed up the deal for Britain’s emerging musicians and something needs to be done. In a Guardian opinion piece, the iconic singer/songwriter insists, “It’s … » Read

Three years ago, Riccardo Muti conducted a production of Così fan tutte directed by his daughter, Chiara Muti, at the Teatro San Carlo. It was the first time he had led a staged opera in his native city in 34 years. Musically, it went down … » Read

Austrian conductor David Danzmayr, former music director of the Illinois Philharmonic, currently of the Zagreb (Croatia) Philharmonic, is to succeed Carlos Kalmar as music director of the Oregon Symphony as of next season, the orchestra’s … » Read

Closing out his two decades at the artistic helm of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Robert Spano has made his next move, to music director of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra (FWSO). He succeeds Miguel Harth-Bedoya, who announced late in 2018 … » Read

The Biden-Harris Administration has made four appointments to senior positions at the National Endowment for the Arts. Ra Joy will become chief of staff. He has served previously as executive director for CHANGE Illinois, a nonpartisan coalition … » Read

Melissa Ngan, founder of the Chicago-based new music group Fifth House Ensemble, project consultant to the Cleveland Orchestra, among others, is to succeed Edward Yim as president and CEO of the American Composers Orchestra (ACO). Yim has been … » Read

PARIS (AFP)—The Paris Opera vowed an overhaul of its recruiting practices yesterday as it launched a drive towards greater diversity in the heart of its elite ballet company, orchestra, and dance school. The issue has already sparked fierce … » Read

Christopher Plummer, the dashing award-winning actor who played Captain von Trapp in the film The Sound of Music and at 82 became the oldest Academy Award winner in history, has died. He was 91. Plummer died Friday morning, Feb. 5, 2021, at his … » Read

Chicago’s Hubbard Street Dance Company has turned to one of its own, former company dancer Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell, as its new artistic director. She replaces Glenn Edgerton, in the position since 2009, and takes over on March 1, 2021. … » Read