Beginning in September of 2028, Jakub Hruša will become the Czech Philharmonic’s chief conductor and music director. Although the Czech conductor’s initial contract is for five years, both parties assume the appointment heralds … » Read

Lalo Schifrin, the composer who wrote the endlessly catchy theme for Mission: Impossible and more than 100 other arrangements for film and television, died Thursday. He was 93. Schifrin’s son Ryan confirmed that Schifrin died due to … » Read

Dame Kathryn McDowell has announced that after two decades in the post, she will step aside as managing director of the London Symphony Orchestra in July 2026. In a letter to her colleagues, she wrote, “I feel the time is right to hand over … » Read

In today’s classical world, it’s not unusual for a high-profile conductor to have significant responsibilities for more than one major musical organization. Yannick Nézet-Séguin [pictured] is simultaneously music … » Read

Graduating from the ultra-selective Curtis Institute of Music is an achievement in and of itself. But Oliver Talukder [tah-LOOK-der], 23, has become a legend even in Curtis’s hallowed halls. During the school’s annual holiday skit … » Read

Portraying Captain Ahab in the Metropolitan Opera’s production of Jake Haggie’s Moby-Dick this past winter called for considerable physical stamina. “Given the size of the role, playing Ahab requires a lot of heavy … » Read

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO) is welcoming three new musicians: Julia Harguindey, principal bassoon, Zhenwei Shi, principal viola, and Michael Banks, assistant principal bass. This past season Harguindey performed with the PSO as guest … » Read

Karita Mattila, the Finnish operatic soprano who has graced many of the world’s leading stages, has joined Opus 3’s roster for worldwide general management. Known for a dramatic and vocal range that stretches from Mozart to Wagner, … » Read

The announcement on June 25 that the papers of composer Stephen Sondheim, who died in 2021, were coming to the Library of Congress (LOC) marked the culmination of a courtship that began over three decades ago. In 1993, Mark Horowitz, a senior … » Read

The passing of Alfred Brendel on June 17, 2025 has prompted remembrances and encomiums from across the classical music world. One of the most touching—from Sir Simon Rattle—appeared in The Guardian . He recalls first hearing Brendel … » Read