The Metropolitan Opera and WQXR, New York’s classical music station, have announced ARIA CODE, a collaboration designed to decode some of opera’s most well-known arias. The 10-episode podcast series debuts on Dec. 4 with a program … » Read

The Würth Philharmonic Orchestra, based in Baden-Württemberg and launched last year by German billionaire Reinhold Würth, has named Milan-born Claudio Vandelli [pictured] as chief conductor effective in January, 2020. Based in the … » Read

Joseph Conyers, assistant principal bassist with the Philadelphia Orchestra, wants to “use music to create better people." If they also happen to excel as musicians, that’s all to the better. In 2007 Conyers founded Project 440, a … » Read

G. Schirmer has acquired the worldwide rights to the works of Florence Price. Born to a middle-class family in Little Rock, AR in 1880, Price was the first African-American woman to have a symphony performed by a major American orchestra when the … » Read

Two key Minnesota Orchestra positions have been filled, their prior vacancies due in both cases to retirements. Felicity James [pictured] is the new associate concertmaster, succeeding Roger Frisch, a 35-year veteran. And Erich Rieppel is the new … » Read

The Kennedy Center has added a new position: VP and Artistic Director of Social Impact. Starting January 1, Marc Bamuthi Joseph, whom the Center rightly describes as a “multi-hypenate artist” will assume the role, serving as part of … » Read

Mary Caraccioli, Lincoln Center’s chief communications officer, is stepping down to take a similar job with the Central Park Conservancy. She exits this week and plans to be in her new position by early December. Caraccioli was hired three … » Read

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra has extended the suspension of concertmaster Jonathan Carney an additional five days, through Sunday, despite a judge having rescinded the temporary peace order filed against him last week. The peace order stemmed … » Read

Tim Smith, for 18 years the Baltimore Sun ’s classical music critic—and recently restaurant reviewer as well—has decided to retire. His last day at the Sun was November 7. Two days later the paper’s owner, Tribune … » Read

A sea change is underway among Bay area cultural institutions as directors, many with long tenure, move on or retire. At the head of the line is San Francisco Symphony Music Director Michael Tilson Thomas, who leaves after 25 years. Others … » Read