Time was when only the vocal greats dared assay the title role of Bellini’s Norma at the Metropolitan Opera, from Lilli Lehmann to Montserrat Caballé, with Rosa Ponselle, Maria Callas, and Joan Sutherland, among others, falling in … » Read

LOS ANGELES, CA– In hindsight, the great Dave Brubeck was a prophet of inclusion in the concert music world. When he disbanded his classic jazz quartet in 1967 in order to devote time to writing sacred classical works, one of his goals was … » Read

The status of the Black Sea port of Odesa in Ukraine as a major center for the export of grain made it a prime target during the first months of the Russian invasion. But despite early, savage assaults, the city has remained firmly under … » Read

LONDON—The Royal Opera owes Dvorák a good Rusalka but, while this new one is an improvement on the debacle of 2012 (a production remembered less for its brothel setting than for being the sole Covent Garden engagement to date of … » Read

Julie Kent, artistic director of the Washington Ballet since 2016, will join the Houston Ballet as its first ever co-artistic director next July, sharing the pivotal role with the current Stanton Welch. A 30-year member of the American Ballet … » Read

SEATTLE—The world premiere of A Thousand Splendid Suns at Seattle Opera has attracted attention well beyond the usual music circles. With the Taliban’s recent return to power in Afghanistan, both the opera and its source, Khaled … » Read

NEW YORK (AP) — Carnegie Hall will reach its pre-pandemic level of 170 concerts during a 2023-24 season that includes a focus on the fall of the Weimar Republic. The hall said Tuesday the season will open Oct. 4 with Riccardo Muti … » Read

Cooler heads finally seem to be prevailing in the tug-of-war between Arts Council England (ACE) and English National Opera (ENO) initiated last November when ACE zeroed out the company’s funding and pushed it to relocate outside London. No … » Read

Teetering on the edge , the Philly Pops is undergoing a major shakeup. Gone immediately is Pops president Frank Giordano, who resigned and has been succeeded as president and CEO by Karen Corbin, previously the Pops’ COO. David Charles … » Read

CHICAGO—Brandon Acker’s name is synonymous with Chicago’s early music scene. If the repertoire calls for a lute, theorbo, or other historical plucked instrument, you can bet Acker, 33, will be there, his easygoing, soulful … » Read