Opera lovers heading to Europe next season will have an embarrassment of riches. The following, new productions or European premieres outlined in a recent Times article, is a sampling. The Ring Royal Opera House launches Antonio Pappano’s … » Read

It took Robert Schumann just ten days to write his Ghost Variations ; it took 85 years for them to be published. He might have written them faster still had he not paused, on day nine, to throw his wedding ring, and then himself, into the Rhine. … » Read

Toronto’s Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra has named violinist Rachel Podger to the newly created post of principal guest director as of September 2024, for two years. She will lead three mainstage programs per season, including the … » Read

Until recently, gay characters in plays, motion pictures, novels, and even operas generally did not fare well. They were often the first to perish or to suffer unrequited love in more serious works—e.g., the plays of Tennessee Williams. … » Read

The York Symphony Orchestra (PA) has named Anthony Wise as its new executive director, effective May 7. As the ensemble’s operations and personnel manager since 2021, Wise succeeds Michael Reichman, now the VP of artistic operations and … » Read

Keith Elder is to become the new president and CEO of the Grand Rapids Symphony as of July 1, 2023. He succeeds Mary Tuuk Kuras, who retired in December 2022; Chuck Frayer has been serving as interim.   Elder joins the Grand Rapids ensemble … » Read

LONDON—English National Opera’s conceptualization of Górecki’s Symphony No. 3 was dreamily beautiful to behold. In a work that deals in pain and anguish, that may not necessarily have been a good thing. And yet… … » Read

When Ivo van Hove first discussed his “very dark” vision of Mozart’s Don Giovanni with his cast at the Metropolitan Opera, the leading man had doubts. “He said, ‘But is there no hope?’” the Belgian … » Read

Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra (CYSO), which serves some 10,000 young musicians annually, both at its own facilities and in schools, has named a new executive director in Jennie Oh Brown. She succeeds Susan Lappe, who left in November after … » Read

Rumors of the death of the piano in the U.K. have apparently been greatly exaggerated. “It is a great time to be in the piano business,” reported one piano shop owner;  Matt Ash, membership and retail lead at the Music Industries … » Read