LONDON--Only two hours by train from London, Manchester boasts grand Victorian architecture, hipster hangouts, and an iconic Gay Village. Its thriving arts scene includes the Hallé, one of regional England’s finest and most … » Read

Chester Lane, longtime senior editor of Symphony magazine, died suddenly on November 24 while visiting friends in West Virginia. He was 74. The cause was heart failure, according to his wife of 13 years, Marianne Sciolino. Lane worked at the … » Read

The Supervisory Board of the Salzburg Festival has appointed Kristina Hammer as the new president of the Salzburg Festival. She succeeds Helga Rabl-Stadler, who held the position for 27 years. Hammer’s selection from among six finalists, … » Read

With three new works in its repertory, the Metropolitan Opera pays more attention to contemporary opera this season than during any other in living memory. None is actually a world premiere—Terence Blanchard’s  Fire Shut Up in My … » Read

NEW YORK (AP) — He opened the season as kindly Uncle Paul in the Metropolitan Opera premiere of Terence Blanchard’s Fire Shut Up in My Bones . Next night he was the vagabond monk Varlaam, stopping the show in Mussorgsky’s … » Read

NEW YORK (AP) — Stephen Sondheim, the songwriter who reshaped the American musical theater in the second half of the 20th century with his intelligent, intricately rhymed lyrics, his use of evocative melodies and his willingness to tackle … » Read

Opening night of Tosca at the Royal Opera House on December 5 has been cancelled, as has the dress rehearsal of December 2. The reasons are twofold: a lbackstage labor shortage and the encroaching strains of Covid-19.  The production will … » Read

The Covid-19 situation in Central Europe is, once again, having a major impact on life in the performing arts. The Paris Opera Orchestra, which started a tour November 19 in Toulouse, has had to postpone a number of concerts along the way, … » Read

Revenue for U.S. orchestras  is beginning to recover as they resume performing before live audiences. According to “ Orchestras in Recovery ,” released by TRG Arts and the League of American Orchestras, ticket sales have been … » Read

Grammy voters got their list of nominated choices yesterday, which, in the classical realm means a grand total of 13 categories, including Best Engineered Recording and Producer of the Year, out of a total of 86, raging from rap to Latin to jazz, … » Read