VIENNA—As I write, it has been over ten hours, and my mind is still reeling. Something very rare and extraordinary happened on Monday night (Jan. 20): A performance changed my life. I have heard Bach’s Goldberg Variations probably at … » Read

In a Grove and Black Lodge , two offerings at the January 9-19 PROTOTYPE Festival, were both marked by their innovative approaches to sung drama. In a Grove , with music by Christopher Cerrone and libretto by Stephanie Fleischmann, felt less like … » Read

SAN FRANCISCO—John Adams can’t help himself. Even when he’s not writing for the stage, as in such operas as Nixon in China, The Death of Klinghoffer, and Doctor Atomic , the Bay Area-based composer has an irrepressible … » Read

LONDON—Every new year brings a fresh crop of reasons to mark musical anniversaries, especially when a composer’s birth (or death) day happened either *00 or *50 years ago. Thus 2025 sees the 100th birthday of Boulez, the 150th of … » Read

LONDON—Once upon a time El Sistema was the gold standard in international music education. The gilt, however, started to peel off years ago amid accusations of corruption and abuse. In the same week that the U.S. announced a $25m reward for … » Read

ST. LOUIS—Exciting things are afoot at the St. Louis Symphony. Next fall, the orchestra will unveil its $150 million renovation of Powell Hall, turning 100 this year . The construction has chased the St. Louisans to different local halls, … » Read

LONDON—For the London Symphony Orchestra, 2025 is a double red-letter year. Not only is it Antonio Pappano’s first season as chief conductor—and already looking like a match made in heaven—but it’s the year Simon … » Read

In the digital program for the new opera Eat the Document , the creative team—librettist, composer, stage director, musical director––offers a piece of advice: “If you haven’t already read the book, we highly … » Read

The Met’s new production of Aida , seen at its New Year’s Eve premiere, registered as an admission of defeat in the face of Verdi’s dramatic conventions. If director Michael Mayer had had any insights into the workings of the … » Read

A conductor, pianist, and bassist, Rotterdam and Israel Philharmonic Music Director Lahav Shani has many talents. Enlivening a weary Chicago Symphony appears to be one of them. In June, Shani powerfully closed out the CSO subscription season, a … » Read