Chicago’s MacArthur Foundation, home of the “genius grant,” has a new president—John Palfrey. An educator, author, and scholar with a focus on digital technology, Palfrey, 46, will succeed Julia Stasch, in the job since … » Read

Even the classical world’s leading lights occasionally stub their toe. In 1966 the Houston Symphony signed 37-year-old André Previn as its new chief conductor, replacing Sir John Barbirolli, 30 years his senior. Previn, who had … » Read

Riccardo Muti has, once again, chosen to side with the musicians of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, of which he is music director. Last month, the players held a news conference in the lobby of Orchestra Hall to announce that  they would go … » Read

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- Benjamin Zander, who turns 80 on March 9, is a serial optimist. He’s the founder and music director of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra and its youth orchestra; he’s a noted Mahler conductor; he’s a … » Read

The Annapolis (MD) Opera, nearing 50 years of operation, is in for major change. Both its artistic director and primary stage director have announced their intention to step down as of June 30, 2020. In the former position, Ronald J. Gretz, with … » Read

As of next season, American-Taiwanese conductor Mei-Ann Chen [pictured] is to be the new principal guest conductor of Austria’s Recreation-Grosses Orchester Graz, a 17-year-old ensemble; she has signed a three-year contract, requiring her … » Read

It was a starry roster of “FoF”s (Friends of Frank’s) who gathered last week in Berlin to honor architect Frank Gehry’s 90 th birthday. The primary event was the open-to-the-public concert that filled the 680-seat Pierre … » Read

In April The Shed will become the largest new arts space to open in New York in nearly six decades. Costing more than half a billion dollars, the new performance center on Manhattan’s West Side will feature an opening program shaped … » Read

Irish conductor Peter Shannon has left the Savannah Philharmonic as artistic director and conductor. Local media reports that his resignation was “immediate” as of Feb. 27. Shannon announced last fall that he was leaving but was … » Read

Violinist Daniel Hope will be stepping down at the close of this year’s Savannah (GA) Music Festival, March  28-April 13. He has been serving in the capacity as associate artistic director, overseeing and participating in some of its … » Read