NEW YORK (AP) — When the Metropolitan Opera last revived Verdi’s La Forza del Destino , a reviewer bemoaned its “four soul-numbing hours of ludicrous plot twists.” That’s harsh. But there’s no question the … » Read

The American Federation of Musicians (AFM) has reached a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) on behalf of some 3,000 instrumentalists working in the film and TV industry. Negotiations , which … » Read

On Feb. 19 Dennis Rooney died at his home in Delray Beach, FL. He was 82. Over a 60-year career, Rooney gained a reputation among classical music lovers for his work in broadcasting, recorded-sound production, criticism, and scholarship. He began … » Read

Frances (“Fran”) Richard, for many years vice president and head of ASCAP's Concert Music department, passed away on Feb. 2 at age 87. Richard joined ASCAP in 1985, where she worked closely with many of today’s leading American … » Read

LONDON—A program that opens with nine minutes of Giacinto Scelsi and ends with 20 minutes of Galina Ustvolskaya is perhaps not for the fainthearted. Unless, of course, you are the intrepid Patricia Kopatchinskaja [pictured]. Currently a … » Read

A $4.6 million gift to the Cleveland Orchestra from Myrna and Jim Spira will help underwrite artistic programming, the pension and annual funds, and endow the Myrna and Jim Spira Bass Clarinet Chair. This marks the orchestra's third major gift … » Read

Central City Opera (CCO), apparently fully  recovered from its AGMA battles that nearly scuttled the 2023 season, has named stage director Alison Moritz as its new artistic director. The last person to hold that title was Pelham … » Read

At the conclusion of the 2024-25 season, Neville Creed [pictured], for 30 years the artistic director of the London Philharmonic Choir, will retire. He will remain connected with choir as Chorus Director Emeritus. During his tenure, Creed has … » Read

Beginning in early 2020, the pandemic shut down almost everything but online activities by symphony orchestras for nearly two years. During that time, there were several heartfelt musings by industry leaders suggesting that international touring … » Read

CHICAGO—Scott Johnson left us a year ago, and the musicians he touched are still saying goodbye. The composer and guitarist died in New York City on March 24, 2023 at the age of 70. Starting with John Somebody (1982), Johnson was best known … » Read